This morning, Mayor Rob Keffer, members of council, South Simcoe BWG Fire Chief Olaf Lamerz, and representatives of My Sister’s Place women’s shelter in Alliston met in front of the Bradford Courthouse to raise the "Wrapped in Courage" flag for International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
As per the United Nations, this year's International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women launches 16 days of activism, which will conclude on Dec.10, the day that commemorates the International Human Rights Day.
This year's colour theme is "Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!. The colour orange represents a brighter future free of violence against women and girls.
Did you know that nearly one in three women have been abused in their lifetime? In times of crises, like the current pandemic, those numbers rise.
A report from UN Women, based on data from 13 countries since the pandemic, shows that two in three women reported that they or a woman they know experienced some form of violence and are more likely to face food insecurity, but only one in 10 women said that victims would go to the police for help.
My Sister's Place 12-bed shelter in Alliston is one place where victims can reach out for help.
They are a not-for-profit organization that provides residential and outreach services for women and their children living with the consequences of violence and abuse. They have served communities in the county since 1987. They are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
PROCLAMATION: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - November 25, 2021
WHEREAS:
violence continues to be the greatest gender inequality rights issue for women, girls and gender-diverse individuals. 1 in 3 women will experience gender-based violence in their lifetime and these numbers increase exponentially for Black, Indigenous and Women of Colour; and
WHEREAS:
gender-based violence is a human rights issue, which our community must work together to prevent and address through public awareness and education; and
WHEREAS:
the COVID-19 pandemic has increased barriers to support and services for gender-based violence survivors and their children; and
WHEREAS:
last year in Ontario, every 13 days a woman or child was killed by a man known to them, with the majority being their current or former intimate partner; and
WHEREAS:
November is Woman Abuse Prevention Month; so this month, and throughout the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we acknowledge our community’s support of the Wrapped in Courage campaign and our commitment to ending gender-based violence; and
WHEREAS:
on November 25th, The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, a Wrapped in Courage 2021 Campaign flag will be raised in recognition that the courage of a woman alone is not enough – it takes an entire community to end gender-based violence.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That His Worship Mayor Rob Keffer and Members of Council proclaim November 25, 2021 as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury.
