Heather Latter
Peggy Loyie is hoping district residents will pledge to end violence against women.
As part of this year’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, Loyie is incorporating pledges initiated by the Status of Women Canada as the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.”
The 16 days began on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25 and ends on International Human Rights Day on Dec. 10.
It also includes the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women on Dec. 6.
“The ‘16 Days of Activism’ is a time to both reflect on violence against women and to take action to end it,” the website notes.
“We’ve been posting these pledges,” said Loyie, noting the pledges include “I will raise my son to respect women” and “I will not look the other way.”
“We’re hoping that on Sunday, we can run these through and we’re posting them each day on our window and on our Facebook page,” she added.
Loyie, who is with the Rainy River District Victim Services Program, said the pledges are about raising awareness, remembering victims, and taking action.
“The pledges are really good,” she stressed. “Even if somebody takes one of those pledges and works to that end, that’s something.”
People also can visit the Status of Women Canada website (www.swc-cfc.gc.ca) to take the pledge.
Click on “take the pledge to end violence” and enter your e-mail address.
“We are all part of the solution,” it notes. “The Government of Canada is urging all Canadians to commit to ending violence against women and girls, now and throughout the year.”
As of yesterday afternoon, more than 3,200 people had taken the pledge to support a life free of violence for all women and girls.
Loyie, meanwhile, also is encouraging people to come out and participate in the candlelight vigil this Sunday (Dec. 6) to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.
It will take place at 2 p.m. at Knox United Church here.
“It just gives us time to mark that day—to remember it, honour it,” said Loyie.
Dec. 6 marks the anniversary of the 1989 murders of 14 young women at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal, who were killed by a gunman simply because they were women.
The lives of those women are commemorated, as well as the women of Rainy River District who have lost their lives due to violence.
“The day remains the same but . . . each year we’re adding a new name and face to our remembrance—someone whose roots are within the Rainy River District is murdered as a result of violence,” said Loyie.
The Rainy River District Victims Services Program once again is organizing the vigil, along with the Sunset Country Métis, local United Native Friendship Centre, and the Rainy River District Shelter of Hope.
“It will be pretty similar to other years,” said Loyie, noting they will light candles, incorporate music, and speak to the missing and murdered women.
“We’ve woven that into it over the last few years, too,” she remarked.
Loyie said the annual event brings to light the ongoing issue of gender violence.
“Maybe some things have changed within the system, but the work we are in, we’re not seeing a decrease [in violence],” she stressed.
“The only change that we are seeing is that we’re seeing more men,” Loyie added.
“But even though that may be the case, the number of women verses the number of men is phenomenal.
“And we don’t want to minimize anything here, but we are seeing that and we know that that is happening,” she conceded.
“But the number of women we deal with in terms of domestic violence or sexual assault, I think, for the population of our area is absolutely staggering.”
Following the vigil, refreshments will be provided by the Knox United Church council and members of the local “Right Relations” group.
“With their support, they just add so much to it,” Loyie said.
“We’re so thankful for their support.”
And she stressed all are welcome to attend the vigil.
“It is for everyone—young, old, male, female,” she stressed.
For more information, call 274-5687.
