December 6: 

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

December 6th is a dark day in our country’s history. It marks the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique Massacre in Montreal, in which 14 women were singled out for their gender and killed.

The 14 women slain in this horrific act of misogyny and gender-based violence were Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz.

Now known as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, December 6th is commemorated every year in Canada and is often marked by candlelit vigils and other events.

“Today, let’s all take a moment to remember not only the young women killed in Montreal, but all women whose lives have been lost to violence,” said Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President. “Together, we must all take action and get involved to help eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.”

Events:

Here are some events happening around BC:

• A Dinner Educational: Taking Action Against Violence against Women (New Westminster)

http://bcfed.ca/events/dinner-educational-taking-action-against-violence-against-women

• Cowichan Women Against Violence Candlelight Vigil

https://www.facebook.com/events/164414600812175/

• Richmond Vigil: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

https://www.facebook.com/events/134800483907251/

• Surrey: Heart to Heart – Violence Against Women

https://www.facebook.com/events/154942361923680/

• Surrey: End Violence Against Women 7^th Annual Candlelit Vigil

https://events.bcgeu.ca/end_violence_against_women_7th_annual_candle_light_vigil_in_surrey

The Facts:

Here are a few statistics from the World Health Organization and the Canadian Women’s Foundation:

• Approximately every six days, a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner.
• Aboriginal women are killed at six times the rate of non-aboriginal women.
• 67% of Canadians say they have personally known at least one woman who has experienced physical or sexual abuse.
• On any given night in Canada, 3,491 women and their 2,724 children sleep in shelters because it isn't safe at home.
• Global estimates published by WHO indicate that about 1 in 3 (35%) of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
• Globally, as many as 38% of murders of women are committed by a male intimate partner.
• Violence against women – particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence – is a major public health problem and a violation of women's human rights.

Resources:

Battered Women’s Support Services: http://www.bwss.org/

Canadian Women’s Foundation: http://www.canadianwomen.org/