Islanders headed to United Nations to discuss women's issues

A Canadian delegation will beheading to New York for the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women meetings next weekand it will include someIslanders.

Jillian Kilfoilwas chosen to be a part during this year's UN commissionbetween March 12 to 16, where the focus will be onissues and challenges facing rural women and girls.

"I was born and raised in a small place and I can't believe I'm going to New York to discuss 'rurality' with people from across the world," said Kilfoil, who is the executive director of Women's Network PEI.

Sharing with others from around the world

"We're a small non-profit in a small province, we don't always get the opportunity to connect nationally and internationally with other groups."

Status of Women Canada seeks nominations for delegates to attend the UN commission every year.

I'm truly grateful, absolutely honoured and so humbled that women's network and myself would be selected. JillianKilfoil,executive director of Women's Network PEI

A number of P.E.I. organizations worked together to nominate Kilfoil, in what she said was a very heartfelt pitch.

"I'm truly grateful, absolutely honoured and so humbled that women's network and myself would be selected," Kilfoil said.

The focus ofthe 2018 UN Commission on the Status of Women will be the challenges and opportunitiesfor gender equality and empowerment for women in rural areas.

'A lot of listening'

Kilfoilsaid that it will be interesting to share her perspectivebut with all the other international voices on the issue she is excited to hear what others have learned.

"I'll be doing a lot of listening, to learnabout those strategies in other places that we can bring back here to P.E.I.," Kilfoilsaid.

P.E.I.'s Status of Women Minister Paula Biggarwill also be attending the UN commission. She plans to recognize the 25th anniversary of the Island's "famous five," when women held five of the top senior positions in 1993.

The government also plans to commemorate the anniversary with events throughout the year.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |Stop taxing youth sport, says ringette coach
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |P.E.I. landlords update smoking policies in anticipation of legal pot