Story by Sarah Bingham As Ontarians observe Woman Abuse Prevention Month throughout November, we remember that actions really do speak louder than words.
As Ontarians observe Woman Abuse Prevention Month throughout November, we remember that actions really do speak louder than words. Countless women and children across Ontario who live with violence, fear and pain need and deserve our best efforts to end the cycle of abuse. November is not just about recognizing the issues, it is also about taking action.
November also marks the beginning of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.” A worldwide initiative that runs from November 25th, the International Day to End Violence Against Women until December 10th, International Human Rights Day. In between falls December 3rd, International Day of Disabled People and December 6th, the National Day of Remembrance and Day of Action on Violence Against Women, which commemorates the 14 women murdered at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal.
On December 8th, women from all across Ontario will be meeting with politicians and media at Queen’s Park to make their voices heard and let the parties know that women’s issues must be a priority, including the needs of the thousands upon thousands of abused women and their children in our province.
If you cannot be one of the women there, you can still use your voice to tell your MPP that you want them to be there.
In less than a year, Ontario will go to the polls in the next provincial election. Political parties will soon be developing their platforms to entice the public to vote for them. As a result, the time when we, the public, will have the most power over government is right now- before the platforms are finalized and the election is called. Now is the time to speak up and let politicians know that violence against women and their children is unacceptable and that you expect our elected representatives to take actions that result in real, measurable improvements.
For over 20 years women’s advocates have given governments the resources and tools needed to make those improvements, with very little response from politicians. In fact, more women were murdered by their partners in this past year than the year before. Services in Ontario report an increase in the rates of domestic violence and the Canadian Association of Police Boards identified missing and murdered women as the first item on their list of key justice and public safety issues facing Canadians at their October 18th, 2010 meeting. It is more important than ever that voters flex their political muscle when it will count the most and demand that MPPs take these issues into account when determining their campaign platforms.
During challenging economic times, it might be tempting for politicians to argue there is simply no money to fund the fight to end violence against women, but- the cost of doing nothing is far steeper than the cost of effecting change. We have to make political parties aware that the economic costs of woman abuse, like loss of income, strains on health care, housing, and most importantly the human costs like loss of life and impacts on children and the broader community, are a higher price than we are willing to pay.
If you can’t be at Queen’s Park on December 8th, you can still take action to end violence against women in our own community and across the province.
Visit www.oaith.ca to find out more about how you can use your power to make a difference. The Association website has an action section where you can get information. Find contact information for your MPP there on the Action Tools page and much more.
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