Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
In Canada, our first thought is usually about what we might be able to do for unfortunate women who live in oppressive societies in other parts of the world.
It芒鈧劉s easy to associate the problem with Middle Eastern countries like Iran, where legal restrictions on women芒鈧劉s rights and movements result in harsh punishments for what we would consider minor infractions (if we see them as 芒鈧搃nfractions芒鈧� at all).
An assault on women芒鈧劉s freedoms in Turkey has been making the news. Turkey芒鈧劉s president has asserted outright that women are 芒鈧搉ot equal芒鈧� to men, while suggesting that the 芒鈧搒pecial status芒鈧� accorded to mother in Islam 芒鈧�� his view of Islam, at least 芒鈧�� makes it all right.
After a few decades of an apparently growing global awareness of the rights of women, it seems things are moving back towards darkness.
But the problem isn芒鈧劉t 芒鈧搊ver there.芒鈧�
It芒鈧劉s right here at home. Up to 50 per cent of women in this country have suffered sexual or physical abuse. The concept of 芒鈧揺qual pay for work of equal value芒鈧� still wins derisive laughter from many men, despite the fact that it is a significant problem with the wage gap running at anywhere between 10 and 20 per cent, depending on sources.
Those are rough estimates, but here are some more solid numbers 芒鈧�� Statistics Canada has determined that, every night in this country, an average of more than 3,000 women are sleeping in shelters to escape abuse, and an average of more than 400 per day can芒鈧劉t be accommodated by Canada芒鈧劉s 600 or so existing shelters.
Women are 11 times more likely than men to suffer sexual violence. In Canada.
And children are often caught in the middle when Mom gets beat up or can芒鈧劉t get a decent job and feels she has to live in fear of Dad.
Violence against women gets international attention. But the solutions have to start right here at home.
The Soroptimists of the 91原创s are hosting a Candlelight Vigil at 5 p.m. Nov. 25 at McBurney Plaza in downtown 91原创 City. The public is invited to join them to commemorate the United Nations 10th Annual International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
As well the Soroptimists are asking people to display their views against violence by taking part in the Orange Your Neighbourhood campaign. This year, the United Nations Secretary脗颅 General芒鈧劉s Campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women invites you to 芒鈧揙range YOUR Neighbourhood.芒鈧�
Wear something orange and join Soroptimist Club members and show your commitment to the 16 Days of Activism. From Nov. 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to Dec. 10, Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign is a global effort created by the United Nations.
- B.G.
