Proclamation - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Nov 25 - Dec 10,2023

Event: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

Date: November 25 to December 10, 2023

“Whereas the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was designated in 1999 by the United Nations General Assembly; and

Whereas the date of November 25th pays tribute to the Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic, who were violently assassinated in 1960, and urges global recognition of gender-based violence; and

Whereas violence continues to be the greatest gender inequality rights issue for women, girls and gender-diverse individuals; and

Whereas femicide rates are on the rise in Ontario, with over 46 femicides in Ontario since November 26th, 2022; and

Whereas our community is committed to ending femicide and all forms of gender-based violence; and

Whereas Indigenous, Black, South Asian and South East Asian women and girls continue to experience high rates of violence, including femicide and were overrepresented within the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses’ 2021-2022 Annual Femicide List; and

Whereas last year in Ontario, on average every 7 days a woman or child lost their lives due to femicide; and

Whereas this month and throughout the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we acknowledge our community’s support of the Wrapped in Courage campaign and commitment to ending gender-based violence; and

Whereas there is an urgent need for greater investment and action to end gender-based violence in our community and throughout Ontario; and

Whereas a Wrapped in Courage Campaign flag will be raised during Woman Abuse Prevention Month in recognition that the courage of a woman alone is not enough, it takes an entire community to end gender-based violence; and

Now Therefore Be It Resolved That I, Warden Mandy Martin, on behalf of Northumberland County Council, do hereby proclaim November 25 to December 10, 2023 as ‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence’ in Northumberland County.”

Dated this 15th day of November, 2023