Women

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women

Every year, on December 6th the PSAC joins in marking the anniversary of the murders of 14 young women in Montreal in 1989. This day is now known as Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.

This year, the PSAC is supporting the Native Women’s Association (NWAC) and Amnesty International in the “Sisters in Spirit” and “Stolen Sisters” campaigns to raise awareness on the alarming levels of violence against Aboriginal women in Canada.

NWAC states that “a disproportionate number of native women are victims of racialized or sexualized violence because of the colour of their skin and their gender.”

Amnesty reports that “In every instance, Canadian authorities could and should have done more to ensure the safety of these [missing and murdered Aboriginal] women and girls.”

Violence against women can be stopped. Preventing violence against women is an important step along the way towards achieving women’s equality at all levels of our society. We know that the economic, social and political marginalization of women, especially of Aboriginal and other racialized women makes women and girls highly vulnerable to violence.

We must speak out. We must take action.

• Learn more about violence against women.
• Sign petitions, postcards and question the candidates during the federal election campaign on their commitment to the eradication of violence.
• Organize an action or event in your Region, workplace or community.
• Support a women’s shelter, women’s centre or women’s advocacy organization in your area.

We have the power to effect change. But we have to raise our voices together and say “Enough”! Enough missing women, enough murdered women, enough violence. It must end now.