December 6th is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, and while it includes a vigil for the murdered women at Ecole Polytechnique in 1989, it also calls attention to the gender-based violence many still face today.
“Nationally, provincially and locally gender-based violence still remains a big issue,” says Pat Sanagan from the Canadian Federation of University Women Southport.
She recently gave a presentation to Saugeen Shores council about gender based violence and about the December 6th vigil set to take place at Owen Sound City Hall. There are other vigils set to be held around the region as well.
Sanagan told Saugeen Shores councillors, “We’re certainly still honouring the women that were killed in Montreal in 1989 and increasing awareness around all the women who experience gender based violence.”
During her presentation, Sanagan highlighted recent allegations of sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as allegations against coaches of women’s sports teams in Canada.
Sanagan also talked about Christina Yadram, whose body was found locally, on October 10th 2021, in a wooded area north of Miller Lake in Northern Bruce Peninsula. The following day, on October 11th, Grey Bruce OPP arrested and charged 32-year-old Wazhir Gafoor of Shelburne with First Degree Murder. According to a Go Fund Me page for her family, Gafoor was her boyfriend.
According to Sanagan, Yadram was a mother to three girls and was six months pregnant, expecting a baby boy.
Sanagan also talked about Indigenous women and girls, telling Saugeen Shores council about two girls, (one of whom had connections to Saugeen Shores) 16 year old Maisy Marie Odjick, and Shannon Alexander who were from the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Nation in Quebec. They both disappeared on September 6th, 2008.
Sanagan says, “Maisy was well known to Saugeen First nation and the non-indigenous community here. She attended SDSS, (Saugeen District Senior School) and had many friends in the community.”
The two girls went missing on the night they were to attend a school dance in Quebec and haven’t been located since.
Sanagan says, “New data this year from Stats Canada reveals that more than 6 in 10 indigenous women report having been physically or sexually assaulted at some point during their lifetime compared to more than four in ten non-indigenous women.”
“We also have to acknowledge the role of the pandemic in gender based violence. Research demonstrates the shadow pandemic, as it’s become known has been linked with all types of violence against women and girls particularly domestic violence,” says Sanagan.
She notes in 2018, Statistics Canada reported that every six days a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner.
According to Sanagan, local statistics show domestic violence incidents and sexual violence incidents have almost doubled between 2018 and 2020.
Sanagan says, “We need to relate to women that domestic violence can happen to anyone and to know the signs. The bullying, the harassment, the controlling behaviour that might lead to further escalation of violence.”
A local campaign to help increase awareness of gender based violence is promoting some solutions, encouraging people to listen to, and beleive survivors.
“It’s estimated that only about a third of incidents of sexual violence are reported because of fear about non-belief and related stigma,” says Sanagan adding, “We need to change an environment where women feel they can come forward safely and share their stories.”
On December 6th, several local agencies are working together to commemorate the 14 women who were murdered by a lone gunman on December 6, 1989, in what has become known as the Montreal Massacre.
Starting at noon on Monday, community members are invited to gather outside Owen Sound City Hall, to recognize the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
Local musician River Breitbach will share a song and Drummers from the M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre will perform before Elder, Shirley John offers an opening prayer. A commemoration to the 1989 victims, as well as to those women who continue to be impacted by violence will follow.
In Kincardine, a ‘come and go’ vigil is set to be held at the Kincardine United Church from 7-9pm.