Task force overdue on gender-based violence, vigil organizers say

A year after organizers of the annual In Her Name vigil called for the creation of a provincial task force on gender-based violence, the group says it is time for it to happen.

“(It) is past due,” Jenny Wright, executive director of the St. John’s Status of Women Council said.

“It is time to establish a wellresourced and fully funded task force to create a comprehensive plan to end violence against women and girls in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

This year’s In Her Name vigil — a gathering to remember the province’s missing and murdered women and girls and rally for change — is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday in front of the Colonial Building at 90 Military Rd. in St. John’s.

Names of 117 women and girls were read aloud at last year’s event. Since then, that number has grown to 136, organizers say.

With this province having one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the country, change is needed now, they say.

Amelia Reimer, cultural support co-ordinator of the St. John’s Native Friendship Centre, said in light of the ongoing national inquiry into missing/ murdered indigenous women and girls, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, it’s key to continue to shine a light on the violence Indigenous women face in this country.

“We will come together as a province to remember all women and girls who have lost their lives to this violence,” Reimer said. “And we honour and respect that we are all ‘Sisters in Spirit,’ both Indigenous and non-indigenous.”

Jenelle Duval of Eastern Owl and Colleen Power will perform at Thursday’s event, which will go ahead rain or shine. It’s open to the public.

Anyone wishing to volunteer or to read a name at the vigil is invited to contact Amelia Reimer at amelia@sjnfc.com.