Speaking Notes for VP External, University of Calgary Students' Union
L'Ecole Polytechnique 20th Anniversary Memorial
(2009)
Good afternoon
On behalf of the University of Calgary Students’ Union I would like to thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today.
Today we are here to recognize a horrific and heartbreaking event in our country’s history.
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the senseless and tragic death of fourteen women at L’Ecole Polytechnique.
For many this tragic event brought to the forefront the serious issue of violence against women both here in Canada and on a global level. Most importantly the horrific event clearly indicated we, as a society, must take action to prevent these acts of violence.
Along with marking the tragedy of December 6, 1989, this year we also mark the tenth anniversary of which, the United Nations General Assembly designated the 25th of November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The UN invited governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities designated to raise public awareness of the problem on that day.
Since the tragic deaths of 1989 and the declaration by the UN, we have gained some ground in violence awareness and prevention as well as developing supports for victims of violence.
Nationally, the Status of Women Canada was created to advance equality for women and to remove the barriers to women's participation in society, putting particular emphasis on increasing women's economic security and eliminating violence against women.
To advance equality for women, SWC works with federal departments and agencies to ensure that the gender dimensions are taken into account in the development of policies and programs - by conducting gender-based analysis and supporting research.
On the provincial level, in 2008 the Government of Alberta introduced a report entitled Taking Action on Family Violence and Bullying: Report to Albertans. This report highlighted how government and communities have been working to address violence and bullying.
Some highlights from the report included:
A joint initiative of the university, the Students’ Union along with other key stakeholders , the centre is a resource for students, staff and faculty to get together and discuss issues, do research and provide support for each other in a positive, comfortable environment. The centre truly is an initiative designed to empower women in every possible way,
As we see here today, the centre has also played a necessary and important role here on campus in bringing the issue of violence against women to the forefront.
These are just a few examples of how we have moved forward in developing supports and initiatives to address the issue of violence against women.
However, we still have a long way to go.
Violence against women continues to be an ongoing social issue According to Statistics’ Canada’s Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends:
I would like to point out that the previous examples I have given concerning federal, provincial and university initiatives to address the issue of violence were all created and/or implemented by women. These women, in their leadership roles, were able to make a difference in the types of supports available in our communities while also influencing the priorities of their respective governments or organizations.
As a female involved with politics in my role of Vice President External with the Students’ Union I have quickly learned how underrepresented women truly are in leadership roles. When I attend other student union conferences, I always notice that I am one of the few females present. Unfortunately this reflects our political landscape on both the provincial and national level. Women represent 51 per cent of the Canadian population yet, on average, make up approximately 21 per cent of all politicians in provincial and territorial legislatures and Parliament.
This number is not acceptable.
It is important that female students who will one day be contributors to our professional world be encouraged to take on roles as leaders. Leaders in our governments. Leaders in our organizations. Leaders in our communities.
Truly, for an issue so close to women, it takes a female leader to understand and recognize the importance and necessity of supports to address and ultimately end acts of violence.
According to a report from the United Nations a critical mass of at least 30 per cent of women is needed before government policies begin to reflect women's priorities and before there is a shift in the governmental management style and organizational culture.
Furthermore, academic studies indicate that when that critical mass is achieved and more women hold more of the key decision-making roles, governments tend to focus more on "root-cause" issues such as education, child care, housing and social services.
So, today, as we remember those women who lost their lives due to violence, I would like to encouarage all of us to take a moment to mourn.
However, I would then encourage all those young women in the audience to understand we can truly make a difference.
By taking on a leadership role, whether in government or your own neighbourhood, you have the power to change society. Violence against women does not have to be an accepted social issue in our world.
Our federal, provincial and municipal governments should all provide the necessary resources and approaches to defeat violence against women. However, most times the decision makers of these governments are men.
I encourage all women here today to become a decision-maker.
On behalf of the University of Calgary Students’ Union I would like to thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today.
Today we are here to recognize a horrific and heartbreaking event in our country’s history.
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the senseless and tragic death of fourteen women at L’Ecole Polytechnique.
For many this tragic event brought to the forefront the serious issue of violence against women both here in Canada and on a global level. Most importantly the horrific event clearly indicated we, as a society, must take action to prevent these acts of violence.
Along with marking the tragedy of December 6, 1989, this year we also mark the tenth anniversary of which, the United Nations General Assembly designated the 25th of November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The UN invited governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities designated to raise public awareness of the problem on that day.
Since the tragic deaths of 1989 and the declaration by the UN, we have gained some ground in violence awareness and prevention as well as developing supports for victims of violence.
Nationally, the Status of Women Canada was created to advance equality for women and to remove the barriers to women's participation in society, putting particular emphasis on increasing women's economic security and eliminating violence against women.
To advance equality for women, SWC works with federal departments and agencies to ensure that the gender dimensions are taken into account in the development of policies and programs - by conducting gender-based analysis and supporting research.
On the provincial level, in 2008 the Government of Alberta introduced a report entitled Taking Action on Family Violence and Bullying: Report to Albertans. This report highlighted how government and communities have been working to address violence and bullying.
Some highlights from the report included:
- amending the Protection Against Family Violence Act to provide better support to victims of family violence,
- increasing funding to women’s shelters (from $15 million in 2004-2005 to more than $25 million in 2008-09) and;
- implementing the Provincial Family Violence Program including eight domestic violence courts, counseling for mandated offenders, enforcement and supervision of court orders, and community co-ordination and victim supports.
A joint initiative of the university, the Students’ Union along with other key stakeholders , the centre is a resource for students, staff and faculty to get together and discuss issues, do research and provide support for each other in a positive, comfortable environment. The centre truly is an initiative designed to empower women in every possible way,
As we see here today, the centre has also played a necessary and important role here on campus in bringing the issue of violence against women to the forefront.
These are just a few examples of how we have moved forward in developing supports and initiatives to address the issue of violence against women.
However, we still have a long way to go.
Violence against women continues to be an ongoing social issue According to Statistics’ Canada’s Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends:
- Half of Canadian women have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16;
- Every minute of every day, a Canadian woman or child is being sexually assaulted;
- One to two women are murdered by a current or former partner each week in Canada;
- Spousal violence makes up the single largest category of convictions involving violent offences in non-specialized adult courts in Canada;
- Thirty-six percent of female victims of spousal violence and less than 10% of victims of sexual.
I would like to point out that the previous examples I have given concerning federal, provincial and university initiatives to address the issue of violence were all created and/or implemented by women. These women, in their leadership roles, were able to make a difference in the types of supports available in our communities while also influencing the priorities of their respective governments or organizations.
As a female involved with politics in my role of Vice President External with the Students’ Union I have quickly learned how underrepresented women truly are in leadership roles. When I attend other student union conferences, I always notice that I am one of the few females present. Unfortunately this reflects our political landscape on both the provincial and national level. Women represent 51 per cent of the Canadian population yet, on average, make up approximately 21 per cent of all politicians in provincial and territorial legislatures and Parliament.
This number is not acceptable.
It is important that female students who will one day be contributors to our professional world be encouraged to take on roles as leaders. Leaders in our governments. Leaders in our organizations. Leaders in our communities.
Truly, for an issue so close to women, it takes a female leader to understand and recognize the importance and necessity of supports to address and ultimately end acts of violence.
According to a report from the United Nations a critical mass of at least 30 per cent of women is needed before government policies begin to reflect women's priorities and before there is a shift in the governmental management style and organizational culture.
Furthermore, academic studies indicate that when that critical mass is achieved and more women hold more of the key decision-making roles, governments tend to focus more on "root-cause" issues such as education, child care, housing and social services.
So, today, as we remember those women who lost their lives due to violence, I would like to encouarage all of us to take a moment to mourn.
However, I would then encourage all those young women in the audience to understand we can truly make a difference.
By taking on a leadership role, whether in government or your own neighbourhood, you have the power to change society. Violence against women does not have to be an accepted social issue in our world.
Our federal, provincial and municipal governments should all provide the necessary resources and approaches to defeat violence against women. However, most times the decision makers of these governments are men.
I encourage all women here today to become a decision-maker.