Wednesday, December 06, 2023
Today, December 6, AMAPCEO marks the Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. This is a day to recognize and mourn the victims of gender-based violence and to work toward eliminating gender-based violence, misogyny, and discrimination against women in all its forms.
December 6 was chosen as a day of remembrance and action by Parliament because it was on this day in 1984 that 14 women were murdered at Polytechnique Montréal in a misogynistic hate crime.
On this day, we remember:
- Geneviève Bergeron
- Hélène Colgan
- Nathalie Croteau
- Barbara Daigneault
- Anne-Marie Edward
- Maud Haviernick
- Maryse Laganière
- Maryse Leclair
- Anne-Marie Lemay
- Sonia Pelletier
- Michèle Richard
- Annie St-Arneault
- Annie Turcotte
- Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz
Identifying and eliminating misogyny is a key factor in eliminating violence against women, as one-third of all murders of women or girls in Canada are reported as being motivated by anger, frustration, or despair.[1]
On this day, we also acknowledge that women and girls face violence not only in the public sphere, but at home as well. Intimate partner and family violence overwhelmingly affect women and girls, with two-thirds of all murders of women and girls perpetrated by an intimate partner, and another 28% by a family member.[2]
It is also important to consider the ways race, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity also affect gender-based violence. Indigenous women, racialized women, women with a disability, queer and/or trans women, and women who have recently immigrated to Canada are all at greater risk of violence.[3]
AMAPCEO is committed to the elimination of violence against women in the workplace, in public, and at home. AMAPCEO supports charitable organizations and programs designed to support women in need of financial or housing assistance, such as the Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses, and to empower and educate women about their rights, such as LEAF (the Women's Legal Education & Action Fund).
Additionally, the AMAPCEO Women’s Caucus is a space for women to share experiences and champion engagement, education, advocacy, and collaboration on issues relevant to women in the union, the workplace, and the community.
The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is also available to every AMAPCEO member and their families. Details are available on the union’s Health, Safety, and Wellness page.
This December 6, AMAPCEO encourages all members to take a moment today, either privately or as part of a community vigil, to mourn all victims of gender-based violence and recommit themselves to doing their part to eliminate misogyny and gender-based violence in their community.