Australian High Commissioner congratulates Pakistani delegates attending International Day of the Girl Child activities in Australia

Islamabad, August 12, 2014 (PPI-OT): The Australian High Commissioner Peter Heyward and Mrs Susan Heyward recently welcomed to their Residence in Islamabad four young Pakistani women who have been selected to travel to Australia to participate in a special session of the Australian Parliament to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.

The delegates will join 25 Girl Ambassadors in a `Takeover of the Federal Parliament’ in Canberra on 11 October 2014 as a call to action to support girls’ rights around the world.

The event will provide highly motivated young women with an opportunity to take part in a political process, learn from successful female leaders, and ensure their voices are captured in the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

At a reception in honour of the delegates on 7 August 2014, Mr Heyward congratulated the young delegates, saying “I am very pleased that you will have the opportunity to share and discuss the challenges young Pakistani women face, and have the chance to talk about your dreams and aspirations with Australian political leaders and girls your own age.”

In high spirits about their upcoming visit, the delegates highlighted the importance of education to their and all girls’ futures. One delegate said: “Education is very important for the development of Pakistani girls and parents should not discriminate between girls and boys”, while another added, “educating a girl means educating a whole family.”

Mr Heyward said he hoped to meet with the girls again on their return from Australia to hear about their experiences and to learn how they are going to share their insights to make a difference in Pakistan.

The girls were also welcomed by heads and deputy heads of various donor agencies including Canada, the UK, and Denmark, and representatives of UN agencies and civil society as well as officials from the National Disaster Management Authority.

Plan Pakistan selected the girls out of 20,439 beneficiaries of post-primary education and Reproductive Health Initiative for Adolescents (RHIA) programs across Pakistan due to their ability to speak out about the lives of young Pakistani women.

For more information, contact:
Faizan Haq
Media enquiries
Australian High Commission
Constitution Ave and Isphani Rd,
Diplomatic Enclave No. 1, Sector G-5/4, Islamabad
Tel: +92-51-8355500, +92-51-8355346, +92-51-8355422
Fax: +92-51-2820112
Cell: +92-300-8547816