News Releases
December 3, 1998
FRY ANNOUNCES DECLARATION OF THE FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL/TERRITORIAL STATUS OF WOMEN MINISTERS ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
OTTAWA -- On December 6, Canadians will once again remember the loss of fourteen young women in Montreal. To mark this year's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, the Honourable Hedy Fry, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women), joined her provincial and territorial colleagues across the country this week to pronounce the Iqaluit Declaration of the Federal-Provincial/Territorial Status of Women Ministers on Violence Against Women.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Dr. Fry said, "When the Federal-Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Status of Women met in Iqaluit for our annual meeting, we made a commitment to take concerted, comprehensive, coordinated action on behalf of women who live and die in the shadow of violence."
The Iqaluit Declaration of the Federal-Provincial/Territorial Status of Women Ministers is a statement of the commitment of governments across Canada to end violence against women. It is underpinned by three key strategies: a focus on public education and awareness to change attitudes and behaviour; accessible and responsive services to victims, with a view to preventing revictimization; and effective justice programs to hold perpetrators accountable and provide treatment programs for abusive men.
"The Declaration reflects our shared vision of safe, healthy communities in every region of Canada - communities where women are not exposed to violence or to the threat of violence," Dr. Fry said. "I am hopeful that our determination, strengthened by partnership across all sectors, will enable us to meet the challenges and achieve our goal."
The complete text of the Declaration is available on our web site.
|
