Statement by the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages on gender-based violence
2006-12-06
Today, on the 17th anniversary of the shootings at Montreal's École Polytechnique, it is appropriate to stop and recall the horror of gender-based violence. We are currently approaching the end of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which is celebrated around the world from November 25th through December 10th each year. These days raise awareness, build capacity and demonstrate solidarity with the worldwide effort to end gender-based violence, which disproportionately affects women and girls, and violates their human rights.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my wholehearted support for efforts around the world to bring an end to gender-based violence inflicted on women. I know this is a sentiment shared by all Canadians.
I am pleased that Canada is doing something about this tragedy. Permit me to offer some brief examples.
In Afghanistan, our government provides support for leadership training for women; the active participation of women in the political process; and, the right to education for girls and women. We have provided funding to establish about 4,000 community-based schools and to train 4,000 new female teachers – improving access to quality education and life skills is key to improving gender equality. Canada is helping to open centres where women can get legal advice, find shelter, take literacy training, or obtain health services.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Canada supports a United Nations effort to assist the survivors of sexual violence. In Guatemala, Peru and Columbia, Canada supports local initiatives to improve the social, political and legal conditions for women.
We are proud that Canada is part of the effort to end gender-based violence, and I encourage all Canadians to recognize the problem, and to join together in promoting a better future for all women.
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