The Vice President was in Canada for an event.

She attended the International Economic Form of the Americas (IEFA)-13thToronto Global Forum in Fairmont Royal York, Ontario. The forum had the theme, “Leading the New Economy”, that aimed to foster exchange of information and promote open discussions on major current economic issues. It also facilitated meetings between Heads of State, the private sector, international organizations, and civil society. Launched in 2007, the Toronto Global Forum is committed to heightening knowledge and awareness of major issues concerning economic globalization, with a particular emphasis on the relations between the Americas and other continents.

In her speech, the Vice President talked about the challenges women face daily in different parts of the world due to abuses, discrimination, and gender biases. She emphasized that in order to have a functioning society, we must advance women’s rights. “This is not an easy advocacy. We go against deep-seated cultural and societal biases, and now, studies have found that even artificial intelligence has serious pro-male biases. But we need to commit to it because gender inclusion is not just about advancing women’s rights and empowering half of the world. Gender inclusion is, at its very core, about sustaining the whole world. When women survive, and find their path to a truly great life, the world thrives. And the ultimate expression of that is how economies are strengthened when women are empowered.”