Each year on December 6, Canadians pause to remember the 14 women who died on that day in 1989. It’s also a time to reflect on gender-based violence and the steps we can take to eradicate it.
In 2012, a survey conducted by the Canadian Women’s Foundation revealed that 67% of Canadians know at least one woman who has been a victim of a physical or sexual assault. Even today, hundreds of women are turned away each night because many shelters are at full capacity.
For Regional Vice-President Jennifer Chieh Ho, the issue of violence against women compelled her to take action in her local community. For the third year in a row, a candlelight vigil will be held in Surrey, British Columbia.
“We asked guests to bring warm clothing to donate to the local women’s shelter,” explained Chieh Ho. “We’re also hoping people will make monetary donations.”
Supporting women’s shelters is something the Union of National Employees has been passionate about for a very long time. In British Columbia, these shelters are all the more crucial for women who are economically-disadvantaged.
“The provincial income assistance rate is absurd,” declared Hilla Kerner, a spokeswoman for the Vancouver Rape Relief & Women’s Shelter in a recent press release. “Women can’t leave abusive husbands because what they will get from welfare is not enough to provide shelter and food for their children. Women resort to prostitution because what they get from welfare is far from being enough for even their most minimal needs. This government is directly responsible for women’s poverty and therefore for women’s vulnerability to violent men.”
The British Columbia Federation of Labour will also be hosting a candlelight vigil in Vancouver; the PSAC Victoria Regional Women’s Committee is sponsoring one in Victoria.
Those who will attend the Surrey vigil will be treated to quite a lineup of politicians, labour leaders and other speakers – among them, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President Bob Jackson and UNE National Vice-President for Human Rights Karoline Klüg.
While the events in Vancouver and Victoria are sure to dominate local media, Chieh Ho felt it was important to have an event in her city.
“I’ve been living in Surrey for 22 years,” said the UNE activist. “I wanted to have an event here.”
She’s also keeping her fingers crossed for a large turnout at this year’s candlelight vigil.
“In the past, we’ve only had 70 to 80 people show up – and they more mostly union activists,” said the Surrey resident. “This year, the message has gone out to a lot of other networks.”
“We have more experience now; hopefully we’ll have more people in attendance.”