Every year on December 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, we remember the 14 women who were murdered at École Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989.
Gender based violence continues to affect women, Two-Spirit, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people in Canada. More than 40 per cent of women have experienced some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetimes, according to statistics Canada.
Women, Two-Spirit, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming workers are more likely to work in public-facing jobs and are often at the front-line of third-party violence. Since 2020 ten times more women than men have fallen out of the labour force.
“No means no to any form of violence,” said Gail Budgell, PSAC Atlantic Regional Director for Women-Newfoundland and Labrador. “This includes sexual, economic, emotional, psychological, or physical violence. Keep yourself and those you love protected, and your union will continue to fight for your rights at work. There is no excuse for violence against women!”
In a time of escalating gender-based violence, unions are united in preventing and addressing all forms of violence and harassment in the workplace, and we expect employers to step up. Unions continue to protect women by bargaining fair wages for everyone, trying to eliminate income inequality, fighting for better access to full-time work, paid leave, and job stability for workers and families, and access to benefits.
PSAC Atlantic will continue to fight to ensure that workplaces are harassment free, and that the safety of all workers is met.
“Today we remember those that experience gender-based violence or have been killed unnecessarily for the simple reason of their gender,” said Jackie Ellis, PSAC Atlantic Regional Director for Women-Maritimes. “On this day, I attend a vigil in my community and take a moment to pause and reflect. Raising the awareness that gender-based violence still exists and that it is unacceptable may give even one woman the courage to change their situation.”
Attend a vigil in your community today. Participate in the remaining 16 days of action. Fight to end gender-based violence. Remember the 14 women who were killed on this day.
In memory of
Geneviève Bergeron
Hélène Colgan
Nathalie Croteau
Barbara Daigneault
Anne-Marie Edward
Maud Haviernick
Barbara Klucznik Widajewicz
Maryse Laganière
Maryse Leclair
Anne-Marie Lemay
Sonia Pelletier
Michèle Richard
Annie St-Arneault
Annie Turcotte