December 6 marks National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women
The push to end violence against women remains stronger than ever 26 years after 14 young women were shot and killed at L'Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal. The tragedy that occurred that day in December 1989 prompted Canadian Parliament to mark December 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.
This year, the BC Nurses' Union is encouraging all members to spread knowledge about what constitutes violence and what can be done to stop it. Despite efforts, there's still a lot of work that needs to be done. Over 50 percent of women experience violence at some point in their lives, the majority before they turn 25. In the workplace, women of all ages are affected, including health care workers where violence is the leading cause of workplace injury.
Over the years, BCNU members across the province have held candlelight vigils, volunteered at women's shelters and commemorated those who've been impacted by gender-based violence.
On Saturday, December 5 members who live within driving distance of Vancouver are invited to attend a day-long meeting organized by the Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter. It will be held at the Vancouver Public Library beginning at 10:00 a.m. BCNU has endorsed this event and donated $500.00 as part of our support for ending violence against women.
More information on Saturday's event can be found at www.rapereliefshelter.bc.ca
Members are reminded that there are many ways they can stand up to violence and educate those around them that it is not to be tolerated. You can:
- Talk to your steward about violence prevention strategies at your worksite
- Visit www.WorkSafeBC.com
- Visit the Men in Nursing Facebook page: BCNU Men in Nursing
- Read more by visiting the Ending Violence Association of BC website: www.endingviolence.org
Representatives from the Men in Nursing group will be attending an event at EVA Dec. 9 - Learn more by contacting BCNU's Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) department at www.bcnu.org
- Join a campaign: Be a part of an international social movement to change attitudes and behaviours to end violence against women, e.g., push for more forensic nurses to do rape kits in your local area
- Address the violence facing Aboriginal women in BC. Visit www.nwac.ca
- Visit www.wecanbc.ca
- Visit www.whiteribbon.com