By Simon Busse, FSWC Educator

On December 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, we remember the 14 women murdered in 1989 while attending a mechanical engineering class at the École Polytechnique in Montreal. The man who committed this massacre, claimed that it was the fault of women that he didn’t get accepted into the program.

Gender-based violence (GBV) has received a lot of attention in the media lately due to continued worldwide abuse of women. International femicide rates - the killing of women or girls because of their gender - are staggering.^[1]

Since Covid, Canada has also seen a rise in GBV, often aided and amplified by the internet.^[2] The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until December 10, Human Rights Day. In the middle of this, on December 6, Canada marks one of its most horrific cases of femicide and misogyny – the École Polytechnique massacre.

Women, girls and gender-diverse individuals are particularly vulnerable to various types of abuse, which manifests itself in physical, emotional or sexual forms. Abuse can occur within romantic relationships, families, workplaces and among friends, acquaintances and even strangers.

Certain groups within these populations, such as women with disabilities, Indigenous women, racialized women, trans and non-binary individuals, as well as those who are homeless or underhoused, may face even greater risks due to additional discrimination and barriers they encounter. It's important to consider that individuals facing abuse may not have access to necessary support services, particularly in rural or remote areas.

Resource:

Government of Canada: Expand your understanding of gender-based violence

^[1] https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/femicide-rates-by-country

^[2] https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/campaigns/gender-based-violence-its-not-just/infographic-online-just-words.html

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