Statement by the Honourable Carolyn Bennett and the Honourable Jane Philpott on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

OTTAWA, Nov. 25, 2017 /CNW/ - The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Carolyn Bennett, and the Minister of Indigenous Services, Jane Philpott, issued the following statement today on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women:

"We stand together today to underscore this important day. As women, mothers, family physicians, and ministers responsible for improving the well-being of Indigenous communities, ending violence towards women is an issue that is close to our hearts.

Violence against women and girls is simply not acceptable. Addressing it requires a united front, and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women represents an opportunity to come together in our efforts.

The number of Indigenous women and girls who are missing and murdered in Canada is a national tragedy that must be addressed immediately. That is why we launched a national Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls to inquire into and report on all underlying causes and systemic issues that contribute to the violence that Indigenous women and girls face.

Preventing violence against Indigenous women and girls means improving access to shelters, health, education and employment. It also means improving the socio-economic conditions for all Indigenous people to help address the root causes of the violence.

Status of Women Canada is also playing an active role in building on current federal initiatives, coordinating existing programs and laying the foundation for greater action on Gender Based Violence with the launch earlier this year of their Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence. We invite you to take a look.

For the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, let's stand together to foster an environment where violence against women and girls is no longer tolerated. "Leave no one behind: end violence against women and girls" is the theme adopted for this year to raise public awareness and engage everyone to make a difference. Take part, to be part of the conversation with the following hashtags from Status of Women Canada's#MYActionsMatter and the United Nations #orangetheworld."

This statement is also available on the Internet at www.aandc.gc.ca.

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SOURCE Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

media may contact: Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 613-697-8316; Andrew MacKendrick, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott, 819-956-5372; INAC Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160