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Golden commemorates National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

It’s been 32 years since the Montreal Massacre at École Polytechnique
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The Golden’s Women’s Resource Centre hosted a small ceremony outside the post office on Monday, Dec. 6 to commemorate the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

“It’s a day where we are called on to acknowledge a darker side of humanity - a side that society as a whole does not like to admit,” said Linley McLean during the ceremony.

“Gender based violence is ongoing and happens in our community, our country, and around the world.”

The day remembers the 14 women who lost their lives and the ten others injured in the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre, and highlights the power dynamics between men and women.

Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay,Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault , Annie Turcotte and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz were the casualties, twelve engineering students, one nursing student, and one employee of the university.

The day also falls during the 16 days of activism, a global campaign that launched on Nov. 25 and calls for the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence.

READ MORE: Golden Women’s Resource Centre observes 16 days of activism

“There is so much work ahead of us that needs to be done in the movement to end gender based violence, and I’ll admit sometimes it feels daunting,” said McLean.

“However, all of us play a role, and change is happening - I see it in the movies our daughters watch, in the conversations surrounding consent in high schools, how many of us are shocked at the original James Bond movies, and of course, all of us standing here today.

“These are small examples, but they represent a shift in societal mentalities and what we find acceptable.”

MLA Doug Clovechok joined the ceremony in Golden with a speech of his own, speaking of his experience as a father to two daughters.

The Métis society was also present, with Monica Lavoie offering a land acknowledgement and prayer.

If you, or someone you know has experienced gender based violence (intimate partner abuse, sexual assault, harassment), the Golden Women’s Resource Centre is available for support.

Feel free to stop by during operational hours, give them a call at 250-344-5317, or send an email (information available on their website www.goldenwomencentre.ca).

The Women’s Shelter Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Resource Centre will also be posting education material to their social media over the course of the 16 days to help start the conversation.



Claire Palmer

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