It has been 30 years since fourteen (14) women lost their lives to violent misogyny at the Polytechnique Montréal. They are:
Geneviève Bergeron
Hélène Colgan
Nathalie Croteau
Barbara Daigneault
Anne-Marie Edward
Maud Haviernick
Maryse Laganière
Maryse Leclair
Anne-Marie Lemay
Sonia Pelletier
Michèle Richard
Annie St-Arneault
Annie Turcotte
Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz
Today, we stand in solidarity to remember these women on this National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
Thirty (30) years later, gender-based violence remains prolific in Canada and abroad. Women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals continue to flee violence. Many continue to lose their lives. This status quo remains unacceptable.
Change will only come through collective action. Reflect on your actions:
Do you denounce sexist or violent remarks irrespective of their source?
Do you objectify, dehumanize, and/or discriminate against women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals?
Do you check-in with those who may be experiencing violence?
Do you support education and advocacy in combating gender-based violence?
Do you support community initiatives, like Cornerstone, that provide a refuge to those fleeing violence?
In short, are you part of the solution or the problem?
We must all work together if we are to achieve a future free from violence. Let us strengthen our resolve. Let us demonstrate the daily courage required to achieve this future.
By Katie Black