This December 6 marks the 21st year that we remember and mourn the 14 women who were shot and killed at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989, murdered because they were women.
While December 6 is a day of remembrance, it has also become a national day of action to address the many outstanding issues that continue to threaten the safety and security of women.
The fact is, every minute of every day a woman or child is being sexually assaulted in Canada. And while we remember the lives of the 14 women who so needlessly lost their lives, we must also remember some stark statistics which, sadly, still reflects the reality for many women today.
Homicide is the number one killer of women in the workplace.
A total of 582 missing and murdered Aboriginal women (and counting).
Each week, one to two women are murdered by a current or former partner.
Up to 360,000 children in Canada are exposed to domestic violence every year.
It is easy to feel hopeless in the face of such stark statistics. However, even the smallest actions by an individual in his or her community can make a difference.
We make a difference when we speak out against bullying, harassment and discrimination of any kind.
We make a difference when we raise strong, compassionate children.
We make a difference when we fight for women's equality and economic security.
December 6 is the day when we make the lives of these women, of all women and children touched by violence, count.
As another anniversary comes and go, I encourage all citizens, especially politicians, to do whatever is necessary to ensure that all women have economic and social security so that they truly can be safe at home, at work and in our communities.
