As our Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable John Baird, stated at the...

As our Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable John Baird, stated at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations in September, women are the key to the development of pluralistic societies, and the full and active participation of women in all parts of civil society and throughout society as a whole is very important in that regard. Last year, our Foreign Minister met with women in Libya to discuss the role women could play in that country's transition. He also met with the Afghan Women's Network at the International Conference on Afghanistan in Bonn to hear their concerns. Canada also advocated for, and facilitated the inclusion of, women's civil society groups at the International Conference on Afghanistan this year, and continues to work with the Afghan Women's Network to raise awareness of issues relating to women, peace and security among provincial and national officials, parliamentarians and influential community leaders.