Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent and devastating human rights violations in our world.
December 6, is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in Canada. Established in 1991, this day commemorates the 1989 murders of 14 female engineering students at Montreal’s l'École Polytechnique. They were targeted and died because they were women.
This day is about remembering the victims of gender-based violence. It’s about acknowledging and reflecting on the fact that for far too many Canadian women and girls, violence is still a daily reality. And its about taking action, and making a commitment to ourselves and our communities that we will do something to change this.
Nurses interact with women who have suffered gender-based traumas in a variety of settings, such as emergency rooms and public health clinics. This places them in a critical position to assist victims in developing a safety plan as well as helping to connect them with supports such as shelters or counselling services.
“Every single one of us has a part to play in making Saskatchewan and the world a safer place for women and girls, and for SUN in particular, as a female dominated profession and union, this issue hits pretty close to home. Individuals, communities, workplaces, unions and governments must speak out against all forms of gender-based violence, and work together on prevention and support strategies that will protect women everywhere. We need to continue to build awareness and educate people about this issue. We must talk openly about its causes and impacts, work together to change norms, behaviours and attitudes towards women, and strive for equality on all fronts from personal and economic security to equal access to education and health. And, we must never remain silent – ever.” Tracy Zambory, RN, SUN President.
There is no place for gender-based violence in our province, in our Canada, and in our world.
Important resources:
Help is out there – Saskatchewan’s Domestic Violence Crisis Hotlines - http://sk.211.ca/saskatchewan_247_hour_crisis_hotlines#4th
Can work be safe when home isn’t? – Initial Findings of a Pan-Canadian Survey on Domestic Violence and the Workplace http://documents.clc-ctc.ca/communications/Survey-Report-2014-EN.pdf
The “White Ribbon Campaign” – Since 1991 men have worn white ribbons as a pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls https://www.whiteribbon.ca/
The “Red Rose Campaign” - http://ywcacanada.ca/en/pages/rose/about
