TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 19, 2015) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this Press Release.

Almas Jiwani will be the headlining speaker at TEDxTheAnnexWomen: MOMENTUM on May 28 at The University Club of Toronto.

"Almas is an accomplished advocate for women's rights and a real trailblazer," says Helena Skrinjar, TEDxTheAnnexWomen founder and co-organizer. "She embodies Momentum, the theme of the 2015 TEDxTheAnnexWomen conference. We are looking forward to the knowledge and insight that she will bring to our conversation, both here at the local level and global one. The time is now to truly raise our awareness about various female issues, and there couldn't be a better voice than Ms. Jiwani's to do this."

Ms. Jiwani will highlight the progress being made for gender equality internationally while contrasting it with where Canada needs to take action for women.

"Twenty years ago Canada ranked first in gender equality globally, in 2013 we were twentieth," says Almas Jiwani, UNWNCC president. "How did we come so far only to slow down? What can be done today to improve? I am looking forward to speaking at the TEDxTheAnnexWomen conference where I will share the vital work being done to promote gender equality worldwide. Canada must improve its ranking and conversations like this one are essential."

About TEDx

In the spirit of "ideas worth spreading," TED has created TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. The event is called TEDxTheAnnexWomen, where x = independently organized TED event. At TEDxTheAnnexWomen, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.

For more information about the event visit: http://tedxtheannexwomen.com/

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