Toronto – December 1, 2016 – Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is commemorated annually on December 6. The day was established to honour the 14 young women who were murdered at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal in 1989.
Violence against women is a pressing global issue, as a recent study by the World Health Organization has found that that one in three women will experience some form of sexual or physical violence in their lifetime.
UFCW Canada and our Local Unions work tirelessly to raise the profile of anti-violence issues through a number of annual events and actions, such as the December 6th Shoe Memorials and candlelight vigils that UFCW activists organize and attend across the country. Our union has also led the way in helping survivors of domestic abuse by negotiating groundbreaking contract language that provides workplace protections for individuals experiencing domestic violence. And we continue to be a leading voice in combating violence against women and girls and supporting survivors of domestic abuse in Canada.
Accordingly, our union has launched a campaign demanding paid leave, reasonable unpaid leave, and options for flexible work arrangements for victims of domestic violence. Please take a minute to send a message urging your provincial government to make paid leave a reality for domestic violence survivors.
At vigils and memorials across Canada, December 6 will be a day of remembrance – and an annual renewal for all to stand in solidarity in helping to end violence against women. To find out more about UFCW Canada's work on ending violence against women, visit ufcw.ca/women.
Paul R. Meinema
UFCW Canada National President