Canadians say "no" to violence against women and girls

Minister Patty Hajdu launches the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

OTTAWA, Nov. 25, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, Canadians from all walks of life gathered at events across the country to launch the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence and show their commitment to ending violence against women and girls.

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Status of Women, helped kick off the commemorative campaign at two events in Ottawa.  Speaking at the launch of the YWCA's annual Rose Campaign and, later, at an event hosted by Women in International Security (WIIS) Canada, Minister Hajdu highlighted the Government of Canada's commitment to ending violence against women and girls.

Specifically, the Minister referred to the Government's plan to launch a national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and affirmed its commitment to work with experts and advocates on a comprehensive federal strategy and action plan to address gender violence.

Minister Hajdu also encouraged Canadians to do their part to end gender-based violence by visiting Status of Women Canada's website and taking the pledge to #EndViolence.  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 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.

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 for Aboriginal women who are three times more likely than non-Aboriginal women to report experiencing violence.

Quotes

"The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence are a time for reflection and remembrance, but they are also a time for action. Organizations, like the YWCA and WIIS Canada, work hard every day to address gender-based violence in Canada and around the world. Their efforts show that, when everyone commits to doing what they can, it makes a real difference in the lives of women and girls."

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]