The Status of Women Council of the NWT and YWCA NWT are holding a public vigil on the National Day of Remembrance and Action to acknowledge and remember those who have been affected by gender-based violence.
The vigil will take place tomorrow at 3 pm at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.
Hawa Dumbuya-Sesay, Executive Director of the YWCA NWT says communities continue to be deeply impacted by intimate partner violence, femicide, and the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Sesay points out that the NWT has some of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the country.
According to data collected by Stats Canada, family and gender-based violence has led to women in the NWT experiencing intimate partner violence at 12 times the national rate.
Meaghan Brackenbury, with the YWCA NWT, says gender based violence requires systemic, cultural, social and community wide change.
“We’re seeing a trend away from public investments in social services and social programs that are desperately needed, such as frontline services for people who have experienced gender-based violence and affordable housing, child care, mental health, and addiction supports,” says Brackenbury.
“I would like to see a change in political priorities, I guess I would say and an investment in those services and supports that will uplift people and ultimately reduce the rates of gender-based violence and all kinds of violence,” adds Brackenbury.
In an announcement issued today, Minister Lucy Kuptana, Minister Responsible for Status of Women, called for reflection and action.
“As we look to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, we pause to honour the lives lost and voices silenced by gender-based violence and recommit ourselves to building safer communities for women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals across the Northwest Territories. This day reminds us of the tragic events at École Polytechnique in Montréal 36 years ago, where 14 young women were murdered simply because they were women. Their memory calls us to action,” said Minister Kuptana.
“Gender-based violence remains a harsh reality in our territory. The Northwest Territories continues to have one of the highest rates of intimate partner and family violence in Canada. This is a crisis that demands urgent and sustained action,” added the minister.
Minister Kuptana also acknowledged the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people
“We stand with families and communities who live with this pain every day, and we commit to supporting healing and justice,” said Minister Kuptana.
“There is no single conversation, policy or program that can end gender-based violence in all its forms. It will take consistent effort, accountability and a deeper understanding of the reasons why someone would choose to commit violence based on gender. This year’s theme for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is ‘Come Together, Act Now.’ These words remind us that ending violence is not the responsibility of one person or one organization. It requires all of us. Together, we can create change. Every voice matters and we need allies of every gender speaking out against violence to leave a legacy of healing, rather than one of trauma.”
