National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Statement

OTTAWA, ONTARIO (December 6, 2015) –The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, today released the following statement to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women:

"Today, we remember the 14 young women who were killed at l'École Polytechnique on December 6, 1989. National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women marks the anniversary of this horrific event, and commemorates the lives of the 14 who were killed simply for being women. 

Violence against women remains a serious problem in Canada. This day gives us an opportunity to reflect on the women and girls who continue to face gender-based violence on a daily basis, as well as to remember those who have died as a result.

Indigenous women and girls are especially affected by violence in this country, and we should also take a few minutes today to remember the Indigenous women and girls who have been murdered or gone missing over the past thirty years. 

I was honoured and humbled to visit the Walking With Our Sisters Travelling Exhibit in Akwesasne to mark the first day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. It was a moving commemoration and powerful reminder of the daughters, sisters, mothers, grandmothers and friends lost to gender-based violence.

We must never forget the 14 women who were violently murdered because of their gender on this day in 1989. I am proud to be part of a government that is committed to action to work to end violence against women."

For more information, please contact:

Media Relations
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
819-953-1160

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