Statement by Minister Ambrose on International Women's Week

Working Together: Engaging Men to End Violence against Women

OTTAWA, March 8, 2013 /CNW/ - The following is a statement by the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, on the occasion of International Women's Day, March 8, and International Women's Week, March 3 to 9.

"Acts of violence against women and girls are crimes, serious abuses of power and severe violations of dignity and human rights. We all have a part to play to stop the violence. I challenge all men to join women around the world to end violence against women and girls.

The Harper Government recognizes that all Canadians - women and girls, men and boys - must be part of the solution to violence against women and girls. For this year's International Women's Week, I have chosen the theme Working Together: Engaging Men to End Violence against Women because it challenges us all to work together on an issue that has wide-ranging economic and social impacts on all Canadians.

I am proud to be part of a government supporting groundbreaking action involving men and boys to end violence against women and girls. For example, we are working in partnership with organizations such as the Ending Violence Association of British Columbian (EVA BC) and the BC Lions football team. They have teamed up to create "Be More Than a Bystander," a project focused on breaking the silence on violence against women by engaging men and boys in being part of the solution.

The Government of Canada also endorsed the COMMIT initiative put forward by UN Women asking governments everywhere to be part of global efforts to end violence against women and girls. Canada continues to implement a wide range of initiatives to reduce and prevent violence against women and girls, and urges other nations to do the same.

Working together, we can create a society in which all Canadians can thrive and prosper, free from abuse and the fear of violence."

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

Amber Irwin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Works and
Government Services and
Minister for Status of Women
819 997-5421