Canada committed to ending violence against women and girls

Minister Patty Hajdu participates in the 2015 Summit On Sexual Violence And Harassment

OTTAWA, Nov. 19, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Pattty A. Hajdu, Minister of Status of Women, spoke about the Government of Canada's commitment to eliminate violence against women and girls to an audience of local, national and international experts and advocates in the area of sexual violence and harassment at an important summit hosted by the Ontario Government.

Minister Hajdu encouraged all Canadians to do their part to end gender-based violence by taking the pledge to #EndViolence on the Status of Women Canada website. This pledge-based campaign is in support of the wide-range of grassroots initiatives and campaigns already underway across the country aimed at engaging Canadians in ending all forms of gender-based violence. By taking the pledge, Canadians can show that they care about making Canada safer for all women and girls — no matter who they are or where they live.

While at the Summit, Minister Hajdu also took time to meet with her counterpart, the Honourable Tracy MacCharles as well representatives from organizations focused on helping to end sexual violence:

Quick Facts

• The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence begin on November 25, with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and conclude with International Human Rights Day on December 10. The 16 Days also include Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women on December 6.
• The Government of Canada is urging Canadians to join the movement to end violence against women and girls by visiting women.gc.ca to take the pledge and to ask their friends and family to do the same.
• Statistics show that women and girls continue to be more vulnerable than men to all forms of violence. This is particularly true forIndigenous women who are three times more likely than non-Indigenous women to report experiencing violence.

Quotes

" The journey towards ending violence against women and girls is not an easy one – it is long and challenging – but it is possible. Events like this one are an important step along that journey. They are an opportunity to unite around a common purpose, to share ideas and success stories, and to reaffirm our commitment to meeting this challenge."

The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Status of Women

Related Products

• Pledge to #EndViolence against Women and Girls
• Easy to share images with facts about violence against women and girls
• Information on the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence
• Information of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women

Additional Links

• Information about Status of Women Canada at women.gc.ca

SOURCE Status of Women Canada

Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Public Affairs, Status of Women, Canada, Tel: [phone]