Remembering and Taking Action: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
Today, on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, we pause to reflect on the lives lost to gender-based violence. We remember the 14 women murdered at École Polytechnique 35 years ago and honour their memory by recognizing the ongoing crisis of violence against women in our communities.
Richelle Stewart, Secretary Treasurer of UFCW Local 401, shared: “On this National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, it is essential that we do more than remember. We must make a promise to ourselves, to our daughters, and to future generations that we will work together to end this violence. This means calling out misogyny and inequality wherever we see it, challenging harmful stereotypes, and demanding real change. It means pushing for systemic changes in our workplaces, in our communities, and in our laws to ensure that women and girls are safe, heard, and supported.”
The statistics are heartbreaking. Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed by her intimate partner. Indigenous women face violence at three times the national average. These figures serve as a painful reminder that gender-based violence is a crisis that affects us all, and we must take collective action to end it.
As we reflect on the tragic loss of lives, let’s also commit to action. Today is not only a day of remembrance but a call to end gender-based violence and femicide. We must continue to challenge misogyny, push for legislative and societal change, and ensure that survivors are supported.
On this day, let’s unite in our efforts to create a safer, more just world for women and girls. It’s time to turn our remembrance into real, lasting action.
Posted on: December 06,2024