Honourable senators, today is the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula. More than 2 million women and girls in developing countries are living with obstetric fistula, a hole in the vagina or rectum caused by labour that is prolonged, often for days, without treatment. Usually the baby dies. Since the fistula leaves women leaking urine or feces, it typically results in social isolation, depression and deepening poverty.
Honourable senators, I am pleased to speak to this inquiry regarding the contributions to innovation and research made by universities and other post-secondary institutions in Canada. As Senator Cowan pointed out in his inquiry, the partnerships that many universities and other post-secondary institutions in Canada form with the private and not-for-profit sectors are very successful in Canada and around the world.
On February 1st 2012 I spoke at the Canadian Human Rights Voice conference held on Parliament Hill. The objective of this conference was to discuss Canada’s responsibilities in responding to the human rights violations in Sri Lanka. Here is the speech I delivered to audience which focuses on the important of engaging women in the [...]