For Immediate Release
March 7, 2013
La version française ci-dessous
International Women's Day: A promise is a promise
Since 1975 the United Nations has declared March 8th as International Women's Day (IWD). Each year this day is set aside to celebrate the rights of women, build towards greater equality and honour the contributions of women to international peace and security. This day is also an opportunity to congregate efforts and resources used to elevate the status of women around the world. The 2013 IWD theme is 'A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women.'
Given this call to fulfil the promise of ending violence against women, the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) and Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) join together, with those from across Canada, in calling for the Government of Canada to convene a national public inquiry into violence against Indigenous women and girls.
"A national public inquiry is necessary to openly address the root causes of systemic violence against Indigenous women and girls in Canada" states Dr. Carolyn Campbell, CASWE President. "It is time for real action and commitment to ending violence against Indigenous women and girls."
Despite recent overwhelming evidence of discrimination and widespread violence against Indigenous women and girls, the Government of Canada has yet to seriously address, acknowledge and commit to protecting marginalized Canadians.
"Unfortunately rather than supporting research and services to better understand the experience of violence against women, the funding to Indigenous organizations committed to researching and stopping the violence has been eliminated" states CASW President, Morel Caissie. "This is an issue that should heighten concern of all Canadians."
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Dr. Marleny Bonnycastle Fred Phelps
CASWE Chair, Women's Caucus CASW, Executive Director
Tel: 204 677 1455 613-729-6668
munozm@cc.umanitoba.ca
