Plan welcomes appointment of Ambassador for Women and Girls

Our Because I am a Girl reports highlight the importance of investing in girls, particularly education.

Plan's chief executive Ian Wishart has welcomed today's announcement of an Australian Ambassador for Women and Girls.

"Today's appointment of Penny Williams is a further demonstration of the Government's ongoing commitment to advancing the equality of women and girls internationally," said Mr Wishart.

"Plan's ongoing series of reports on 'The State of the World's Girls' have demonstrated clearly that investment in the wellbeing and development of girls is crucial.

"They show that despite the great advances our world has made in gender equality and development, millions of children around the world face a life of inequality and poverty simply because they are born girls.

"Yet it is also clear that if we were to invest more in girls from the start of their lives, they will not only overcome the barriers that they face on a daily basis – they will also contribute to the stability and prosperity of their families, communities and countries," said Mr Wishart.

"Ms Williams will bring much experience and passion to this new role, and we look forward to working with her to ensure that Australia is doing its part to give the girls of the world the best possible opportunities in life."

Mr Wishart said the next State of the World's Girls report would be released in mid-October, and would be an important resource for Ms Williams in her new role.

"The next report will focus on the important role that men and boys can and should play in ensuring girls grow up in a world that gives equal opportunities to everyone regardless of their gender, and how this benefits everyone, not just girls," he said. "It will be an important contribution to thinking about how we create a fairer world for girls, wherever they are born."

Read more information about the 'Because I am a Girl: The State of the World's Girls' reports.

Find out more about the new Ambassador for Women and Girls.


Media Contacts:

David Cook: 0448 816 900