Students continue to fight to end violence against women

OTTAWA, Dec. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - Students across Canada are marking the National Day of Remembrance and Action to End Violence Against Women by continuing to work to end violence against women on campuses and in communities.

"On December 6 we remember the 14 women who were murdered on their campus 23 years ago simply because they were women," said Jessica McCormick, National Deputy Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "These women were targeted because of their presence in the traditionally male-dominated field of engineering, and for representing the advancement of women."

In Canada, more than 50% of women will experience violence at some point in their lives, most before the age of 25. Approximately 25% of women undergraduate students experience some form of sexual abuse. At its most recent annual general meeting, the Canadian Federation of Students vowed to support local students' unions efforts to make campuses safer for women.

"Students continue to play a key role in the fight to end violence against women and in challenging misogyny and oppression that exists on campuses," says McCormick. "University and college administrations must take concrete actions to improve campus safety for all women."

Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. This day marks the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique murders.

The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation, uniting more than one-half million students in all ten provinces. The Canadian Federation of Students and its predecessor organisations have represented students in Canada since 1927.

SOURCE: Canadian Federation of Students

Jessica McCormick, National Deputy Chairperson, [phone]