Violence Against Women Must Be Addressed

Thunder Bay, ON – This National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is a reminder that violence against women is pervasive and must be addressed. Today, as we remember and honour the 14 women who lost their lives at the Montréal École Polytechnique tragedy (Montreal Massacre) on December 6, 1989, the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) reflects on the ongoing crisis of violence against women.

Indigenous women are disproportionately impacted by violence due to systemic racism, sexism, and discrimination. The proportion of Indigenous femicide victims in Ontario has steadily increased from 5.4% in 2019-20 to 8.1% in 2022-23 [1]. Indigenous women have the fundamental right to live in safety and to a future free from gender-based violence.

The Indigenous Women’s Advisory Council (IWAC), which ONWA is a member of, recently released a statement on the ongoing impacts of violence against Indigenous women. The statement, in response to Bill 173 Intimate Partner Violence Act, calls for municipalities and governments to act swiftly against violence against Indigenous women. Read the Statement from the Ontario Indigenous Women’s Advisory Council on Declaring Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic at: https://www.onwa.ca/post/iwac-declares-epidemic-2024

To learn more about how you can help end violence against the women in your life explore:

• ONWA’s Strong Hands Stop Violence Poetry Book to raise awareness of violence against Indigenous women. Join ONWA in uplifting Indigenous voices and promote healing through art. Learn more or submit before December 31, 2024: https://www.onwa.ca/post/strong-hands-stop-violence-poetry-book-vol-9

• The White Ribbon movement, a Canadian movement of men and boys working to end violence against women and girls, promote gender equity, healthy relationships, and a new vision of masculinity. Take the pledge today: https://www.whiteribbon.ca/pledge

• The Moose Hide Campaign, an Indigenous-led grassroots movement to engage men and boys in ending violence towards women and children: https://moosehidecampaign.ca

• The Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children resources and programming: https://www.learningtoendabuse.ca

• The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence - Women and Gender Equality Canada report: https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/gender-based-violence/intergovernmental-collaboration/national-action-plan-end-gender-based-violence.html

• ONWA’s Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls (MMIWG) learning and resource page: https://www.onwa.ca/learning-resources-mmiwg

If you or a loved one are experiencing violence or domestic abuse, please contact Talk4Healing. They offer 24/7 help, support, and resources for Indigenous women by Indigenous women. Call or text 1-855-554-HEAL (4324) or visit http://talk4healing.com

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[1] Data derived from Ontario Association of Interval Houses (OAITH) Annual Femicide Lists and Reports.