National Day of Remembrance, Action on violence against women marked in province
- EFN Staff | December 05, 2014
In
Canada, December 6 has been designated as the National Day of Remembrance and
Action on Violence Against Women to commemorate the deaths of 14 female
engineering students killed at Montreal’s l'École Polytechnique in 1989.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of this tragic event, and
Saskatchewan residents are joining with all Canadians today to reflect on
violence against women in society.
“As we remember the loss of these 14 young women
today, it is also an opportunity to consider the women and girls for whom
violence - and the threat of violence – are daily realities,” Social Services
Minister and Minister responsible for the Status of Women Donna Harpauer said.
“Gendered violence is an issue that affects everyone, and we all play a
role in ensuring that Saskatchewan women and girls can build their futures
without the threat of violence.”
“What happened in Montreal 25 years ago is
something we as a society must never forget,” Justice Minister and Attorney
General Gordon Wyant said. “In Saskatchewan, we are committed to not only
legislating protections, but also to exploring community-based options aimed at
preventing violence to women and girls.”
The day is also a reminder of the violence facing many Indigenous women and girls.
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Regional Chief for Alberta Cameron Alexis is urging all Canadians to join First Nations in a moment of silence tomorrow, December 6, on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (White Ribbon Day), and to remember the more than 1,100 missing or murdered Indigenous women in Canada and all families impacted by violence.
“Now more than ever we’ve seen First Nations and Canadians standing up to end violence,” said AFN Regional Chief Alexis, who leads the work for the AFN national executive in addressing and ending violence against Indigenous women and girls. “We cannot lose this momentum and we cannot stand down. Together we can achieve safety for our peoples and our communities, and this is why I reiterate the need for concrete action and tangible results and why the upcoming National Roundtable is so essential as a next step in our efforts to address and end violence against Indigenous women and girls.”
Next week the AFN will be electing a new chief, and the organization says addressing and ending violence against women will be a top priority. The Assembly also plans to honour Rinelle Harper, who was brutally assaulted last month in Winnipeg.
“As we honour the far too many women and girls we’ve lost to violence, we continue to push for change – change that will see our peoples safe, healthy and thriving,” said AFN Women’s Council Co-Chair Therese Villeneuve. “In addition to continuing our calls for a National Public Commission of Inquiry to address the root causes of violence and the vulnerabilities of Indigenous women and girls, we are currently planning for a National Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Women together with other Indigenous organizations and the provinces, territories and federal government that we expect to take place in February 2015. The Inquiry and Roundtable are not our only steps toward change, but they are significant and we expect results. Our objectives are clear – tangible outcomes, support and investments that will keep Indigenous women and girls safe, and long-term strategies to prevent further violence.”
The Government of Saskatchewan says it is committed to finding realistic and effective solutions to reduce interpersonal violence and abuse, eliminate violence against women and girls, and build upon existing work between all levels of government and community partnerships:
- During 2014-15, more than $29 million is being provided to 83 agencies by the Ministry of Social Services to deliver programs and services that support women at risk.
- During 2014-15, up to $11 million will be provided to develop and operate 42 services delivered by 32 community-based organizations in 17 communities across Saskatchewan.
The Government of
Saskatchewan works with other governments, police forces and community
organizations to address the issue of violence against women. Examples
include the Provincial Partnership Committee on Missing Persons,
Inter-ministerial Committee on Interpersonal Violence and Abuse, Saskatchewan
Towards Offering Partnership Solutions to Violence, community policing
initiatives and community-based alternative measures programs.
Minister Harpauer distributed white ribbons to
her Cabinet colleagues and all MLAs in the Legislature earlier this week.
The white ribbons are a symbol of the wearer’s commitment to ending
violence against women and girls.
Meanwhile, the RCMP marked December 5 as White Ribbon Day for the RCMP in Saskatchewan.
RCMP officers and employees wore a White Ribbon to take the pledge and raise awareness of the serious issue of violence against women.