Support for women more important than ever

2020 has been a challenging year for us all. The isolation and general uncertainty of what’s to come, the added stress of keeping safe from the virus, for some a more out-of-balance work life; an increased workload for many parents and unexpected unemployment for others.

These struggles have no doubt put a strain on many of our relationships. For far too many women, COVID-19 has meant being confined to homes where they are experiencing violence.

The statistics prior to the pandemic were stark enough:

Women experience violence at a rate four times that of men. Within that number, Indigenous women experience violence at rates 2.7 times higher than non Indigenous women and are three times as likely to experience spousal violence.

Transgendered women are nearly twice as likely to experience intimate partner violence than cisgendered women, and women living with physical or cognitive impairments experience three times the rate of intimate-partner violence than those living without.

The UN Issue Brief: COVID-19 and Ending Violence Against Women and Girls since the outbreak of COVID-19 reports that violence against women, and particularly domestic violence, has intensified dramatically during the pandemic as stressors such as health and financial worries are coupled with confinement to one’s home and isolation from outside support systems.

This year, The Saamis Tepee will be lit in Purple for The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, a campaign that runs annually, from Nov. 25, The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, until Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day, in an effort to emphasize that gender-based violence is a violation of human rights.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada, Lethbridge Regional Women’s Committee invites all southern Albertans to commit to a few simple actions to question, call out and speak up against acts of gender-based violence during these 16 Days, and throughout the year:

Wear purple on Nov. 25 to raise awareness about genderbased violence.

Wherever you are, observe a moment of silence on Dec. 6 at 11:00 am, to honour the 14 women who lost their lives at l’École Polytechnique.

If possible, attend a socially distanced vigil on Dec. 6, wear a mask.

Donate to a local women’s shelter.

Believe and support survivors. Speak out and add your voice to call out misogyny online.

Learn about the resources to people experiencing family violence in your community.

Volunteer with organizations working to end violence.

Advocate to all levels of government that services for persons experiencing family violence are treated as essential services and are accessible during pandemic and other emergencies/disaster situations.

Together we can work towards a safer home for everyone.

In solidarity,