Safe and Free, What all Women Want

Twenty-two years ago, 14 young women were killed through an act of sexist violence specifically aimed at women that shocked the whole country. December 6^th offers Canadians an opportunity to reflect on violence against women in our society.

Does this violence still exist today? Well, yes it does! … Here are a few statistics:

In 2008, 569 shelters across Canada offered shelter to women fleeing violent situations and to their children.

In 2008, 146 women were homicide victims in Canada. Of this number, 45 were killed by their partner.

The first forms of violence to which women are subjected are verbal abuse such as insults and threats. Then comes physical abuse within or outside the household. Lastly, women experience sexual abuse outside the household as well as within. Outside their home, twice as many women are raped as are victims of violent theft.

Globalization contributes to this violence by promoting human trafficking, most often of women who are coerced and threatened into forced labour or prostitution. Canada has in fact become a sex tourism destination.

December 6^th provides an opportunity to reflect on the women and girls for whom violence is a daily reality and to remember those who have died as a result of violence against women.

We can do more!

Although the fight to end violence against women is no longer a “major national cause”, we call upon each citizen to make it a personal cause.

Each one of us can take part in this fight, by challenging sexist stereotypes in his or her daily life, by increasing awareness among his or her close relations and by mobilizing to have public authorities reinforce the policy against such violence.

To be safe from violence
To be free to go anywhere without fear

December 6