The Government of Canada Calls For An End To Violence Against Women

OTTAWA, Nov. 23 – The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, called for an end to violence against women. “This international day is an opportunity for Canada to reflect on the countless women and girls worldwide for whom violence and the threat of violence are a daily reality,” said Minister Verner. “Violence against women affects us all. It destroys families and communities and weakens the very fabric of our society. This violence knows no bounds – social, economic, racial or geographic. Too often we see it in our communities and even in our own families.”

November 25 commemorates the 1960 murders of the Mirabel sisters in the Dominican Republic. Worldwide it also marks the beginning of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, including Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women on December 6.

The Government of Canada believes violence against women is a critical issue facing Canadians. It recently introduced the Tackling Violent Crime Act, which will better protect women from dangerous offenders and youth from sexual predators. This bill will also toughen sentencing and bail requirements for those who commit serious gun crimes. In the last session of Parliament, the government put an end to the use of conditional sentences (including house arrest) for serious offences such as violent or sexual crimes. It has endorsed the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Iqaluit Declaration, which demands action on domestic and sexual violence against Aboriginal women. It is also co-sponsoring the National Aboriginal Women’s Summits, which focus on violence and other quality-of-life issues.

Through the newly established Women’s Community Fund of Status of Women Canada, the Government of Canada supports projects aimed at combating violence against women and girls. These projects include an initiative in Winnipeg to combat violence against women with intellectual disabilities, a Vancouver project to assist senior women escaping abuse, a project in Quebec to prevent violence against women in Aboriginal communities, a residential treatment program for sexual abuse survivors in Ontario, and a violence prevention project for girls and young women led by Aboriginal grandmothers in Regina.

Status of Women Canada is a federal government agency working to promote the full participation of women in the economic, social and cultural life of Canada.

For more information on Status of Women Canada, visit
http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/.
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For further information: Dominic Gosselin, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, (819) 997-7788; Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director, Communications, Status of Women Canada, (613) 995-7839; This release is also available on the Status of Women Canada website: http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca.