National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in Canada
December 6th is a day for reflection.
On December 6, 1989, 14 women were murdered at Polytechnique Montréal, and the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in Canada was established to recognize and prevent the deadly impacts of misogyny on women and girls in Canada, such as sexual assault and domestic violence. How can we protect the dignity and safety of all female identifying people? Reflecting on the degradation that women and girls endure is important, but we must also take action to prevent the root causes of violence against women- political, economic, and social inequality and deeply embedded misogyny.
The impact of our failure to address misogyny is clearly evidenced in The Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters’ (ACWS) 2023 release of ON THE FRONT LINES: Striving to End Domestic Violence and Abuse Together, which provides sobering details of the prevalence of domestic violence in Alberta. In 2022-23, 58,065 adults, seniors and children received support through Alberta’s shelters (ACWS, 2023). While all genders may be victims of violence, 79% of Canadians experiencing intimate partner violence are women (Government of Canada, 2023), and 98.5% of the Albertans served in domestic violence shelters identified as women (ACWS, 2023). Those working in the area of gender-based violence prevention strive to serve everyone who needs help yet, in 2022-23, 19,247 people, mostly women and children, were turned away due to lack of space in shelters. This is unacceptable.
The Social Work Association of Alberta (SWAA) recognizes the urgent need for government funding to prevent violence against women and to support survivors of GBV. Domestic violence shelters must be adequately funded, yet these measures alone, are not enough. As social workers we understand that safety for women can only be assured when essential services are well resourced and progressive policies are developed. Accessible and affordable housing, adequate income and childcare are integral to giving women autonomy and efficacy, and at the same time preventing violence. Women cannot continue to have to choose between staying in volatile situations or feeding their children. They must have options to keep themselves and their children safe.
In Alberta, we need to enhance the counselling capacity of the sector, address the complex needs of all survivors, increase access to justice programming, and invest in addressing gender-based and intersectional violence. This will protect women and children, balance inequalities that limit women’s life choices and ultimately prevents violence. When women have choice, we will have achieved the intent of December 6th, moving beyond commemoration and into action.
Our call to action: We encourage all social workers to call your MLAs, ask questions about what measures are being taken to prevent GBV, make it clear that urgent investments in the safety and protection all women are needed. Find and contact your MLA.
On December 6th, we can do more than reflect on women as victim of violence. Together, we can build the kind of society that values, respects and protects all women from the trauma of violence. We know the strength and resilience of women, it’s up to all of us to give them opportunities they need to thrive.
For more information:
On the Front Lines Striving to End Domestic Violence and Abuse Together (PDF from ACWS)
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (Canada.ca)
Fact sheet: Intimate partner violence (Canada.ca)
Find your Alberta MLA (Alberta.ca)
Written by Board President, Joan Farkas, and Executive Director, Harold Pliszka.