Medellín—December 6, 1989, is a dark day in our nation’s history. Although 25 years have passed since 14 young women were murdered at Polytechnique Montréal, the memory of this tragedy remains undiminished in the minds of Canadians. One thing is certain: we must continue to act to ensure that such tragedies never occur again.
Whatever the form, whatever the motives, violence has no place in our society. Fraught with consequences, it destroys lives. The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women provides us with the opportunity to reflect on this and to take steps to prevent and put an end to violence.
The fight to end violence against women does not stop at our borders. Many countries around the world are working to eradicate this violation of human rights, one that affects women of all ages, from every background. For example, today I will be visiting Granizal-Bello, one of the largest informal urban settlements in Colombia, where I will witness some of the initiatives offering social protection services to internally displaced persons, which is helping to combat violence against women.
There remains much to be done, here and elsewhere. On this day, let us break the silence and speak out against inequality, harassment and violence in the hope that girls and women might live in security, freedom and dignity, as they should.
David Johnston
-30-
Marie-Pierre Bélanger
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-9166
marie-pierre.belanger@gg.ca
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