Canada's National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women

December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women. On this day we remember and mourn the loss of 14 women, murdered at Montréal's École Polytechnique, murdered because they were women. Please check your local areas for events.

More than 20 years after the tragic events in Montreal, violence against women continues to be a serious issue in Canada.

On Dec. 6, 1989, a deranged gunman entered L’Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal. He segregated the female students from the male students and began firing at the female engineering students.

On that day, 14 young women lost their lives to violence. The event has become known as the Montreal Massacre and is symbolic of the fight to end violence against women. In 1991, Canada’s Parliament declared December 6th a National Day of Mourning and the National Day to End Violence Against Women.

The facts:

Violence against women continues to be a serious issue in Canada:
•It is estimated that 60% of Canadian women have suffered from physical or psychological violence at some time in their life.


•In 2007, nearly 40,200 incidents of spousal violence were reported to police. This represents about 12% of all police-reported violent crime in Canada.


•Between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008, approximately 101,000 women and children were admitted to 569 shelters in Canada.

We remember the 14 lives lost. And there are other numbers to remember:

•Every minute of every day, a woman or child is being sexually assaulted in Canada•Homicide is the Number 1 killer of women in the workplace


•Homicide of women by firearm has shrunk since gun control - from 144 in 1989 to 33 in 2006


•582 missing and murdered Aboriginal women (and counting)


•Women with disabilities are 1.5 to 10 times as likely to be abused as non-disabled women, depending on whether they live in the community or in institutions.


•Each week, 1 to 2 women are murdered by a current or former partner


•Up to 360,000 children in Canada are exposed to domestic violence every year


•Physical and sexual abuse costs Canada over $4 billion each year


We make a difference when we speak out against bullying, harassment and discrimination of any kind.

We make a difference when unions raise the issue of violence at the bargaining table, or advocate for effective workplace violence legislation.

We make a difference when we raise strong, compassionate children.

We make a difference when we fight for women's equality and economic security.



Here are 14 actions you can take to help end violence against women:


1.Learn to recognize the signs of violence.


2.Don’t remain silent. If you suspect that a woman close to you is being abused or has been sexually assaulted, gently ask if you can help.


3.Speak out against harassment, bullying and violence in your workplace.


4.Get training in violence prevention.


5.Be an ally to women and organizations who are working to end all forms of gender violence.


If happening in the workplace and Unionized, work with your union to:


1.Make sure your employer keeps information on shelters and supports for women experiencing violence readily available.


2.Negotiate a workplace violence prevention program which includes psychological harassment into your collective agreement.


3.Review your workplace violence program every December 6th.


4.If you live in a jurisdiction with Workplace Violence legislation, make sure your employer is in compliance. If you don't, advocate for legislation requiring employers to develop policies and programs to help prevent workplace violence and harassment, as well as take precautions to protect workers from domestic violence in the workplace.


Have the courage to look inward and work to:


1.Question your own attitudes and actions and work towards changing them.


2.Recognize and speak out against racism, homophobia and other forms of discrimination.


3.Raise non-violent children. Help them find non-violent ways of resolving conflict. Lead by example.


4.Help the girls in your life develop confidence and strong self-esteem.

5.Encourage people who commit violence to seek counselling and support.

 

Thanks for viewing! As always, have a great day and remember to "Empower yourself and inspire change in others"

Empowering Deaf Women in Canada project

What is the Empowering Deaf Women in Canada project?

“Empowering Deaf Women in Canada” is a project launched by the Canadian Association of the Deaf. This project will ensure that services provided in the fields of violence against women and health care in Canada will respond to the needs of Deaf women, that Deaf women will understand their rights and the services available and that Deaf women can fully participate in the decision-making process.

Deaf women will be involved in this project directly, through working groups to be established in ten locations across the country. These working groups will identify existing gaps in service; assist in the creation of materials to respond to identified needs and work with organizations across Canada to increase the accessibility of their services. Participating women will be responsible to share information and knowledge pertaining to employment, discrimination, abuse, and health care to the Deaf community and especially to grassroots Deaf women groups.

For more information about this project, please email Evelyne Gounetenzi  

Empowering Women - Words From Ottawa

Empowering Women

For Governor General Michaëlle Jean, denying more than half of the world’s population the most basic human rights is one of the worst scandals of our time. This is what has inspired her determination to break down the wall of indifference and give a voice to women.

She believes that being safe—at home, in our neighbourhoods, in our communities—is one of the basic rights that are all t oo often abused where women are concerned, even in our so-called progressive societies. That is why she has made violence against women a priority in her mandate. It is also a commitment that stems from her years spent working with women and children who had suffered through many forms of violence, which led her to help establish a network of shelters for them.

In her view, the struggle for equality is not just a woman’s struggle; it is the struggle of every person who demands respect, justice and dignity. She strongly believes that we have everything to gain when we give women the means to change their lives for the better. “Empower women,” Her Excellency states, “and you will see a decrease in poverty, illiteracy, illness and violence.”

Government of Canada increases direct support for Canadian women and girls

OTTAWA, May 6 /CNW Telbec/ - The Government of Canada has approved funding for 78 projects directly supporting more than 24,000 Canadian women as a result of the 2009-2010 call for proposals. This includes 34 groups that have received funding for the first time.
"We are proud to be working with women's organizations across the country to promote and support Canadian women and girls in a way that will directly help them in their daily lives," said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for the Status of Women. "By increasing funding for Status of Women to its highest levels ever, our government is reaching more Canadian women and girls who need the most support."
The Women's Program received 486 proposals, the largest number of proposals received for a call for proposals.
The Government of Canada allocated funding for these projects through the Women's Community Fund of Status of Women Canada. To be eligible for funding consideration, projects must work to promote the full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada. This criterion is consistent with the three pillars established for Status of Women Canada: advancing women's and girls' economic security; ending violence against women, including Aboriginal women and girls; and encouraging women's leadership and democratic participation.

Ce texte est également disponible en français.

For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/.


* Indicates new groups that have been approved for funding.

ORGANIZATION                                                   CITY/TOWN
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Newfoundland and Labrador

    * Réseau de développement économique et
         d'employabilité de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador
         (RDÉE TNL)                                               St. John's

        Projet d'entreprenariat pour les femmes de
         l'Ouest du Labrador

        Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network (NAWN)          Stephenville

        Empowering Aboriginal Women; Influencing Community
         Wellness

        Multicultural Women's Organization of
         Newfoundland and Labrador                                St. John's

        A Culturally Appropriate Gendered Approach to
         Improving Immigrant Women and Girls Economic Security
         Through Leadership Skill Development
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Nova Scotia

        Fédération des femmes acadiennes de la Nouvelle-Écosse     Dartmouth

        La violence, ça suffit!

        The Hypatia Association                                      Halifax

        Tools for the Trade: Promoting Economic Security for
         Women in Cape Breton
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    New Brunswick

        Association acadienne et francophone des aînées
         et aînés du Nouveau-Brunswick                                Dieppe

        Éveil à l'exercice de la citoyenneté des femmes et
         comment l'exercer

        Centre de prévention de la violence familiale
         de Kent                                         Sainte-Anne-de-Kent

        Notre destin notre autodetermination

    * Partners For Youth Inc.                                  Fredericton

        Building Opportunity - Leadership Development
         for Young Women to Eliminate Relationship Violence

        Urban Core Support Network Saint John Inc.                Saint John

        POWER UP! Mentoring
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Prince Edward Island

        PEI Coalition for Women in Government Inc.                 Stratford

        Supporting Democratic Participation of
         Prince Edward Island's Women and Girls

        Women's Network PEI Inc.                               Charlottetown

        Trade Herizons
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Quebec & Nunavut

        Centre d'intégration au marché du l'emploi (CIME)         Sherbrooke

        Les femmes dans la construction: une voie d'avenir
         pour un secteur en effervescence

        Centre social d'aide aux immigrants                         Montréal

        Favoriser la participation et la représentation
         des femmes immigrantes et réfugiées dans le quartier
         Ville-Émard / Côte-Saint-Paul

        Femmes et politique municipale de l'Estrie                Sherbrooke

        Ensemble, continuons!

    * Fripe.com                                                Québec City

        En route vers le marché du travail

    * Groupe d'entraide L'expression libre du
         Haut-Richelieu                             Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu

        Réseau de soutien et d'entraide pour femmes
         victimes d'agressions sexuelles

    * Le Cran des Femmes                                          Montréal

        Onward Together!

    * Regroupement des femmes d'affaires et
         femmes professionnnelles de la region de Thetford    Thetford Mines

        Influence et pouvoir au feminin

        Relais-femmes                                               Montréal

        Pour que les femmes continuent d'avancer

        Réseau des femmes des Laurentides                       Saint-Jérôme

        Citoyennes, faites vos marques!

    * Saturviit Inuit Women's Association of Nunavik          Inukjuak, QC

        Governance Training for Inuit Women in Nunavik

    * Table de concertation des organismes au service
         des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes Inc. (TCRI)         Montréal

        Améliorons nos conditions de vie : en route vers le
         développement du leadership des femmes immigrées!

        Wapikoni Mobile Corporation                                 Montréal

       Soirées de filles: de l'intime au collectif
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Ontario

        Action Ontarienne contre la violence faite aux femmes         Ottawa

        Tools to increase safety

    * Agincourt Community Services Association                     Toronto

        Forced Marriage - Education and Empowerment

    * Biminaawzogin Regional Aboriginal Women's Circle             Orillia

        Women's Transition Bridging Project

    * Catholic Family Services Toronto                             Toronto

        Women Helping Women

    * Community Living Peterborough                           Peterborough

        Young Women's Leadership Group

        Community Opportunity and Innovation Network (COIN)     Peterborough

        Women Leading, Women Learning, Women Working

    * Cornwall and District Immigrant Services Agency             Cornwall

        From Learning to Earning Women (FLEW) - A Program
         for Immigrant Women by Women

    * Elizabeth Fry Society Sudbury                                Sudbury

        EMPOWER (Education Making Positive Outcomes within
         Everyone's Reach)

    * Eritrean Canadian Community Centre of Metropolitan
         Toronto                                                     Toronto

        Empowering African Immigrant Women to Become Leaders
         in Raising Sexually Healthy Children

        Focus for Ethnic Women                                      Waterloo

        Immigrant Women and Voice

    * Girls Incorporated of Limestone, Algonquin and
         Lakeshore (Girls Inc. Limestone)                           Kingston

        Girls Inc. Mother's Network

    * Korean Canadian Women's Association (KCWA) Family
         and Social Services                                         Toronto

        FEM (Free and Empower Me)

        Lowertown Community Resource Centre - trustee of the
         City for All Women Initiative                                Ottawa

        Engaging Diverse Communities through Facilitation

    * London Urban Services Organization Centre
         (LUSO Community Services)                                    London

        D.A.M.E.S. (Daughters and Mothers Experiencing Success)

        Media Action (National Watch on Images of Women in the
         Media)                                                       Ottawa

        Informed Opinions

    * Mouvement Ontarien des femmes immigrantes francophones
         (MOFIF)                                                     Toronto

        Viser haut

    * MUJER- Latin American Women's Organization                   Toronto

        Empower Youth Latinas in Toronto

    * My Friends House, Collingwood Crisis Centre              Collingwood

        "Next Door" Transitional Support Program for Women

    * Oasis centre des femmes                                      Toronto

        Developing an Economic Hub for Language

        Reh'ma Community Services                                    Toronto

        Shifting Burdens and Empowering Women

    * Sault Sainte Marie Indian Friendship Centre       Sault Sainte Marie

        Jingle Dress Regalia Making Project

    * The Multicultural Council of Windsor and
         Essex County                                                Windsor

        Leadership 360

        The Redwood for Women and Children Fleeing Abuse             Toronto

        Women on the Move, Phase 2

    * Urban Alliance on Race Relations                             Toronto

        Making Noise Media and Accountability Project
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------


    National

        Federation of Canadian Municipalities                         Ottawa

        National Women in Municipal Government Program

        National Initiative for Care of the Elderly (NICE)           Toronto

        Older Women and Financial Literacy: Bridging the Income Gap

        Native Women's Association of Canada                          Ottawa

        Evidence to Action
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Manitoba

        Association for Community Living - Winnipeg Inc.            Winnipeg

        Women in Harm's Way - Addressing the Silent Abuse -
         Phase 2

        Ka Ni Kanichihk

        Aboriginal Women & Youth - Reclaiming our Power

        West Central Women's Resource Centre                        Winnipeg

        Cultivating Holistic Community Leadership

    * Women's Enterprise Centre of Manitoba

        WEC-Tech Project
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Saskatchewan

    * Daughters of Africa International

        African Women in the Community

        Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan

        Strong Sisters

    * La Ronge Native Women's Council                             La Ronge

        Piwapan Sexual Assault Program

        Provincial Association of Transition Houses and
         Services of Saskatchewan

        Modeling and Mentoring: Creating the Supportive and
         Effective Relationships that Lead to Non-Violent
         Communities

        Saskatchewan Towards Offering Partnership Solutions
         (STOPS) to Violence

        The Community Connections Plan Phase 2: A Consistent,
         Coordinated, Effective Response to Violence and Abuse
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Alberta

        Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (ACWS)                  Edmonton

        Changing Lives: Empowering Women through Enhanced
         Shelter Practices

        Canadian Mental Health Association                      Medicine Hat

        Community Development for Sexual Assault Response
         Services in Southeast Alberta

        Changing Together: Centre for Immigrant Women
         Association                                                Edmonton

        The Silkworm Project: An emergency shelter designed
         specifically for Immigrant women

        Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN)              Edmonton

        Immigrant Women Claiming their Future: Building Capacity
         through the Sustainable Livehood Model

        Immigrant Services Calgary Society                           Calgary

        Integrated Women's Mentorship: Phase II

        United Cultures of Canada Association                       Edmonton

        Enhancing Community Response to Support Victims and
         End Domestic Violence

    * Westlock Women's Association                                Westlock

        Stop the Violence - Pilot Project
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    British Columbia

    * Cridge Centre for the Family                                Victoria

        The Cridge Asset Building Project

    * Minerva Foundation for BC Women                            Vancouver

        Women Leading the Way Project

        Supporting Women's Alternatives Network
         (SWAN Vancouver)                                          Vancouver

        Preventing Violence by Protecting Rights

        SWOVA Community Development and Research Society   Saltspring Island

        Pass It On: Women and Girls Working Together for
         Safety, Phase II

        Salvation Army, The Governing Council                        Kelowna

        Female Lone Parent Family Breakthrough

    * New Hope Community Services Society                        Vancouver

        Woman to Woman: Empowering Refugee and Immigrant
         Women to Stand Strong in Canada Through Mentoring

        WISH Drop-In Centre Society                                Vancouver

        Peer Security Project: Phase Two

    * Women's Enterprise Centre                                    Kelowna

        Taking the Stage: Leadership Skills Training
         targeting Aboriginal, Immigrant and Entrepreneur Women
         in BC
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Yukon

        Les EssentiElles (fiscal agent for the Yukon Status
         of Women Council)                                        Whitehorse

        Financial Literacy for Yukon Women

        Les EssentiElles                                          Whitehorse

        Renforcement PluriElles
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Northwest Territories

        YWCA of Yellowknife, NWT                                 Yellowknife

        Increasing Safety for Women in NWT Communities
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For more information, please contact:
    Chris Hilton
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and
    Minister for Status of Women
    613-697-7324

Ce texte est également disponible en français.

For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/