It seems like it was only a few months ago that I was writing about Gender Based Violence but, in fact, it was 12 months ago!
Annually, the 16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence runs from Nov 25 – Dec 10.
Each year, the Worldwide Mothers’ Union produces prayer and action resources for use in observing the 16 days. During that time the media usually bring special attention to the issues of gender-based violence.
Although these 16 days are officially recognized around the world, for many organizations it is an ongoing
focus. This pervasive problem needs our attention 365 days of the year. It is a huge allencompassing
tragedy that cannot be slotted into 16 days once a year.
Organizations such as the Canadian Women’s Foundation, the White Ribbon Campaign, the UN Commission on Status of Women, Women’s Inter- Church Council of Churches work tirelessly to bring attention to and work against gender-based violence. There are many forms of gender-based violence.
While they affect all manner of persons, women and girls are disportionately affected.
A few of the facts:
- 7 out of 10 victims of domestic violence are women and girls.
- Approximately every 6 days in Canada a woman is killed by her intimate partner.
- Worldwide, 1 in 3 women have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.
- 160 women and girls in Canada were killed by violence in 2020, a rise from 2019.
- Domestic violence increased during the pandemic and safe places for women had to reduce their numbers.
- Before the pandemic 6,215 women and children were sleeping in a shelter every night in Canada because they were not safe at home
- 1.5 million women live in poverty in Canada (2019); poverty is one of the drivers of domestic violence.
- Women accounted for 70% of low income job losses in 2020.
There are many, many more documented facts to start a conversation. Visit one of these websites: https://canadianwomen.org https://www.mothersunion.org/ resources https://wicc.org/restore/ https://women-gender-equality. canada.ca
Many of you may be familiar with the White Ribbon Pledge, created in Canada in 1991 by men for men. https://www.whiteribbon.ca/
I promise never to commit, condone or remain silent about all forms of gender based violence and discrimination.
Last year one parish in our diocese created a video of men and boys of all ages reading the pledge. It had an impact on the readers as well as the viewers. Is this something your parish could do this year?
