Opinion: We should make welfare of Indigenous women and girls a priority – Varsity

April 7, 2024

The increasing number of murdered Indigenous women demands immediate attention

The symbol for the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls’ (MMIWG) movement is a red hand painted on the lower half of the face. The bloody palm that imprints on the mouth specifically represents the Indigenous women’s voices that have been silenced against speaking up about acts of sexual and gendered violence perpetrated against their communities.

This image has gained popularity over the years as more people have started to recognize MMIWG cases. Despite an increase in public recognition, however, government officials have not yet tackled many of the MMIWG cases. Their current system for addressing cases is ineffective and brings about a horrific continuation of Indigenous women and girls experiencing sexual and gendered violence.

The story of Tina Fontaine

Femicide is defined as the killing of women and girls, most often by an intimate partner, a family member, or someone they know, and typically by men. Like all violence against women, the many causes of femicide are rooted in gender inequality, gender expectations, and systemic gender based discrimination — it is a prominent issue, with 1,125 total cases occurring in Canada between 2011–2021 alone.

Read More: https://thevarsity.ca/2024/04/07/opinion-we-should-make-welfare-of-indigenous-women-and-girls-a-priority/