Canada and India team up for equality

By Leela Sharon Aheer Chestermere-Strathmore MLA

“This is a most beautiful campaign … if you’re looking for a reason to proudly, without apology, post a selfie with your daughter, granddaughter, or niece on #linkedin next weekend.”

Thank you to Anupam Srivastav of V4U Radio, who is launching Sunil Jaglan’s #selfiewithdaughter.

You can register for this inspiring event at the link (https://selfiewithdaughter.org/registration.html) and join us at 7 p.m. on Feb. 18.

Selfie with Daughter is the most heartfelt campaign in the world, signifying our love for our daughters. 

This campaign has been endorsed by the head of the world’s largest democracy … India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on his radio show Mann Ki Bat which means “speak from the heart.”

I am so delighted to announce the Selfie with Daughter campaign has now launched in Canada.

With India hosting the G-20 – this year, this could be a milestone in encouraging bilateral ties between India and Canada. 

In 2023 Canada will be privileged to attend the G20 summit, where we will commit to advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls. An app launched by former Indian President – Pranab Mukheriee also said, “it is imperative to increase awareness around female foeticide in India.”

That makes 2023 the perfect year to launch the Selfie with Daughter campaign in Canada.

Selfie with Daughter was launched by Mr. Sunil Jaglan, a sarpanch (village elected official) at Bibipur, a village in Jind, Haryana, in 2015. 

Mr. Sunil was moved to action when he read about all the missing and murdered girls in India and the female foeticide still being practiced. International celebrities such as Madonna, Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, Bollywood Actor Ajay Devgan, and Badminton Champion Sania Nehwal have also joined in support.

Selfie with Daughter is now a movement that mobilizes social media to spread the beauty of our girls, with a proud parent beside them, to empower the girl child globally and elevate their future as women.

The Selfie with Daughter campaign is often endorsed by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi; on his Launching Selfie with Daughter in Canada under the stewardship and guidance of Sunil Jaglan has been the most gratifying experience in breaking all taboos and narratives. Spreading smiles on the faces of “girl child” is what I always wanted to do. Anupam Srivastav, CEO of V4U Radio, is calling to reform the institutions and cultural practices that perpetuate gender biases against girls that surfaced in 2021, exposing the stark reality of the issue.  

“There are several contributing factors, including sex-selective abortion, neglect, and discrimination towards girl children. Biases against female children continue well after birth, including immunization rates, medical care-seeking, household food allocation, school attendance, and the share of household spending they receive.” 

Please join us on Feb. 18 for our virtual event to hear from some amazing panelists, and let’s get our selfies ready with our daughters, granddaughters, nieces, cousins, and sisters! I’ll be posting a picture of my dad and me.

See you there!

(Leela Sharon Aheer is the MLA Elect for Chestermere-Strathmore)