Government of Canada salutes Indo-Canadian Women's Association's work to address violence committed in the name of 'honour'

EDMONTON, June 5, 2012 /CNW/ - The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, today saluted the Indo-Canadian Women's Association's work to address violence committed in the name of "honour" during their two-day conference, "In the Name of Honour: Cultural Practices that Hurt Women."

"Our government is committed to protecting women, girls and other vulnerable persons from all forms of violence, and to holding offenders accountable for their acts," said Minister Ambrose. "I commend the Indo-Canadian Women's Association for addressing this abuse of power and severe violation of victims' human rights."

"With support from the Government of Canada, we are significantly improving the outlook for young immigrant girls and women in Edmonton," said Ms. Miriam Thomas, President of the Indo-Canadian Women's Association. "We are building momentum for lasting change."

The Indo-Canadian Women's Association is hosting a two-day conference from June 5 to June 6, "In the Name of Honour: Cultural Practices that Hurt Women," to raise awareness of violence committed in the name of "honour" and to engage community stakeholders in developing a coordinated and sustainable response to it. The conference is intended for practitioners, academics and students in the fields of justice and law enforcement, social and immigrant settlement services, health care, education, faith organizations, victims' rights advocates and policy and research professionals.

In January 2011, the Indo-Canadian Women's Association received $241,000 in Government of Canada funding for its project Elimination of Harmful Cultural Practices: A Community-Centred Approach for Education and Action. This groundbreaking 24-month project is empowering immigrant girls and young women in Edmonton and engaging community organizations, the legal community and law-enforcement agencies in better responding to violence committed in the name of "honour." In addition to several consultations, 10 focus groups have been held with representatives from a variety of local communities and community organizations. Such gatherings have provided a forum for stakeholders to share perspectives on violence committed in the name of "honour" and also to compile recommendations to address both its incidence and the attitudes behind this type of violence.

For media inquiries only:  

Michelle Bakos
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Works and
Government Services and
Minister for Status of Women
819 997-5421

For all other inquiries, contact: 

Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General
Communications and
Public Affairs
Status of Women Canada
613 995-7839

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For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to women.gc.ca.