SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

Honourable senators, I rise today to recognize the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, encompassing Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, where we remember and honour the 14 women killed in the École Polytechnique massacre on December 6 and ending December 10 on Human Rights Day.

This campaign is an important opportunity to reflect, to raise awareness and to advocate for an end to gender-based violence in Canada and across the world. Violence against women and girls remains one of the most pervasive human rights crises of our time. Globally, nearly one in three women will experience some form of gender-motivated violence in their lifetime. Yet far too often, these forms of violence remain hidden and unspoken, as women and girls face the risk of stigma or disbelief.

This remains a prevalent issue here at home. Every 48 hours in Canada, a woman or girl is killed in an act of gender-based violence. In 2023, in Canada, there were over 123,000 police-reported instances of intimate partner violence. In 78% of these cases, the victims were women. But we need to remember that statistics are not just numbers. They represent mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and members of our communities whose lives have been changed forever.

Many factors contribute to the increased risk of gender-based violence, including systemic inequality, economic insecurity, discrimination and social norms that perpetuate harm. Increasingly, we must also recognize the growing threat of digital and technology-facilitated violence where women and girls face online harassment, threats and coercive control that can follow them into every part of their lives.

Progress is happening but at a painfully slow pace. This campaign is an opportunity not only to reflect on these realities but to commit ourselves to action. It reminds us that violence against women is a threat to our communities, our safety and our shared future.

During this campaign and throughout the year, I invite everyone to raise awareness of the risks faced by women and girls across our country and around the world. It is our collective responsibility to build safer communities, advocate for prevention, support survivors and champion initiatives that promote education, accountability and change. Thank you. Wela’lin.