Ottawa (VNA) - Canada is providing 8.5 million CAD(6.6 million USD) over 5 years, beginning in 2020, to UN Women to empowerwomen, prevent violence and promote social cohesion in Southeast Asia, CanadianMinister of International Development Karina Gould announced on December 7.

The minister made the announcement at the virtual high-levelglobal conference “Strengthening Women’s Role in Building and Sustaining Peace:From Commitments to Results”, hosted by Vietnam and the United Nations.

Canada’s financial commitment will help address genderequality and discrimination against women and girls in the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, advance Canada’s women, peace andsecurity agenda, and build sustainable peace and security in Southeast Asia.

Canada’s support will advance the empowerment of women inpeace and security efforts by promoting their participation and leadership inpeacebuilding.

In selected countries, activities will include engagingcommunities and youth to challenge social norms and boost community-ledinitiatives to prevent and address conflict and contribute to buildingsustainable peace.

She said that women’s voices and leadership make a differenceand bring lasting change that benefits everyone in their communities.

The global conference in Vietnam includes the participationof senior UN officials; representatives of UN member states, international andregional organisations, international financial institutions and women’sorganizations; and other stakeholders. Participants touched upon current gapsand challenges and made commitments to accelerate action for sustainable peacebeyond 2020./.