FIGHT AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE CONTINUES
It was a day to remember lives lost, and to celebrate those drawing attention to issue
Five women whose ages span decades, staring out from the cover of one of the world’s most revered magazines, hailed as the “Silence Breakers.”
Fourteen young women, nearly all of them in their early 20s, shot dead by a gunman who blamed successful women for his unhappy life.
The two events that happened decades apart — the magazine cover unveiled on Wednesday, Dec. 6, the massacre of female engineering students at a Canadian university 28 years ago on the same date — are, in the eyes of those on the front lines of the issue of gender-based violence, nevertheless connected.
“I was so pleased to hear that this morning, that they are featuring the women who are standing up to this issue,” says Paulette Senior of Time magazine’s decision to bestow its Person of the Year honour on several women who, representing the #MeToo movement, have spoken out on sexual harassment and assault by powerful men in America’s corporate, political and media worlds.
“I don’t think I’m being naive by saying I think there’s potential for significant change here,” says Senior, the president and executive director of the Canadian Women’s Foundation. “But violence against women is still a very present-day problem, in both our countries.”
On the anniversary of the massacre at Ecole Polytechnique, people like Senior take time out of their busy days to commemorate the young lives lost in a shocking act of violence, women killed simply for being women.
Stephanie McLean, Alberta’s minister of status of women, issues a statement on what is now known as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. She calls the killings a “premeditated attack against women who were breaking barriers and pursuing their dreams in a field traditionally dominated by men. It was an attack on feminism fuelled by misogyny that persists today.”
The University of Calgary’s service for the lives lost, attended by about 200 students, staff and faculty, provides a sombre reflection on that dark day in 1989. Lit candles, a screen displaying the names of the young women so mercilessly slaughtered, and the soft strains of piano music honour the lives lost.
The speakers reflect on the horrors of that day, but also talk about the challenge many still face in a society where gender equality is far from won.
“I have received death threats over my effort to provide free period products to students on campus,” says Hilary Jahelka, the vice-president of student life with the U of C’s Students’ Union, by way of one example.
“I always have to point out that women in this country still face sexism and violence every day.”
U of C president Elizabeth Cannon talks about her memories of 28 years ago, and highlights the many steps the school has taken to create a more inclusive community where all feel safe.
“To see 14 women being killed for studying a profession that I held so dear, that was a huge wake-up call for me,” says Cannon, who in 1989 was pursuing a PhD in engineering at the U of C.
It galvanized her, she says, to dedicate her efforts to ensuring other female engineering students “did not feel fear and they did not feel barriers.”
Carla Bertsch, whose new position with the U of C is one of the results of that commitment, provides a passionate speech on what is needed to create a society where gender-based violence is eradicated, one that includes men and women working together.
“We are not truly thriving if members of our community are allowed to suffer from pervasive abuse and discrimination,” says Bertsch, the U of C’s sexual violence support advocate. “Together we have a responsibility to foster a culture of respect and inclusion.”
The men in the crowd wear white ribbons, a symbol of their commitment to be a part of the solution, promoting gender equity, healthy relationships and a new version of masculinity.
“I’d like to suggest that all of our suffering is connected, as is our freedom from it,” Bertsch says. “Our humanity and liberation is tied together.” Senior shares that belief. “It is an issue of power and control,” she says of genderbased
I’d like to suggest that all of our suffering is connected, as is our freedom from it. Our humanity and liberation is tied together.
violence. “December 6 is an important day to remember,” but also one to look forward to and be heartened by strides made, like the women being honoured on this day by Time magazine, who were courageous enough to speak out.
“When gender-based violence is eradicated, we’ll all be better for it.”