Dear students, colleagues, and friends,
Today we will remember women who lost their lives because of gender-based violence.
More than 30 years ago, what should have been a typical school day at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal became an unimaginable tragedy as 14 young female students were gunned down. Ten others and four men also sustained injuries.
Many of us will remember that day with shock and sadness. Nearly all the victims were students like the ones attending Acadia University. They hoped to better our society as engineers and nurses. Instead, they were taken from society far too soon.
The senseless violence and anger that motivated these acts cannot and should not be forgotten.
Later today, Acadia’s Women’s and Gender Studies will present a panel of thoughtful speakers who will share their experiences, insights, and ideas. I am proud to be a part of that gathering. As a community, we will commemorate the women killed at the École Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989 and recommit our efforts to end gender-based violence.
Honouring with Remembrance and Action
We can only truly honour the victims, and others affected by violence, by ensuring we take steps to defend women and girls, and those who identify as such or as gender-diverse, who currently face violence in their everyday lives.
By positively promoting gender equity and inclusivity, we set a precedence for change.
I am proud that Acadia is working toward improving equity and safety through our campus initiatives and improved policies. But individuals working together can be as or more powerful than any single institution. Let us be vigilant and act in our daily lives to create an inclusive community for all. After all, we are stronger as allies and equals.
As we take the time to remember those impacted by violence and oppression around the world, it is vital to do more. Let us work together to acknowledge hate and intolerance. Let us take meaningful steps to end violence against women and girls, and those identifying as female or gender-diverse. And let us rise above prejudice with love, acceptance, and community.
I want us to live in a world where each of us is proud of who we are and there are no limits on what we can become. I hope that as a community, Acadia can create that world.
|
|
Sincerely,
Peter
Dr. Peter Ricketts
President and Vice-Chancellor
Acadia University
|
|
Join us to commemorate December 6 |
|
Acadia’s Women's and Gender Studies invites you to attend a panel discussion in honour of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
As a community, we will commemorate the women killed at the École Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989 and recommit our efforts to end gender-based violence. This event will be an opportunity to gather members from various communities to share different insights on and plans for action against violence.
Participants will include Elder Carolyn Landry, Annapolis Valley First Nation; Autumn Doucette, Mi’kmaw Family Healing Centre; Ginger MacPhee, Chrysalis House, Rev. Dr. Marjorie Lewis, Acadia University Chaplain, Polly Leonard, Acadia Equity Officer, Dr. Jennie Rand, Ivy Curry School of Engineering; Dr. Kathryn Bell, Department of Psychology; Oonagh Proudfoot, Executive Director, Alumni Affairs; and Dr. Peter Ricketts, Acadia President and Vice-Chancellor. The event is supported by WGST and the Office of the President.
When? Monday, December 6 at 4:30 p.m. in the Sheldon L. Fountain Learning Commons.
|
|
Message from Women's and Gender Studies |
|
To the Acadia community,
In 1989, 14 young women were targeted and killed because of their gender in a mass shooting at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal. This hate crime led Parliament to designate December 6 as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.
Today, we remember each of these 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.
Gender-based violence continues to be pervasive. The statistics are stark. One in three women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence. Emerging data show that all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, have intensified since the outbreak of COVID-19, a phenomenon the United Nations has termed the Shadow Pandemic and that speaks to the gendered impacts of the pandemic.
In Canada, higher rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people remain part of the damaging systemic effects of colonialism. On November 25, the Native Women Association of Canada announced the launch of the #AnswerTheCalls campaign for 16 Days of Activism on the 40th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. “This campaign will run until International Human Rights Day on December 10. For the next 16 days, we will demand real action be taken to answer the MMIWG Calls for Justice to end the violence against Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people."
|
|
Sincerely,
Anne
Dr. Anne Quéma
Coordinator, Women’s and Gender Studies
Acadia University
|
|
If you have been impacted by violence and need support, there are resources both at Acadia and in the greater community available to you.
Acadia’s Counselling Centre offers free and confidential services for all Acadia students and is here to support your mental health needs.
If you have been impacted by sexualized violence, Acadia’s Sexualized Violence Response and Education Coordinator offers confidential support and advice and can be reached at: svrec@acadiau.ca
The Avalon Sexual Assault Centre, located in Halifax, is a feminist organization working to eliminate sexual assault/abuse, and to change the current socio-political culture that fosters sexism, social injustice and other forms of oppression.
Chrysalis House is a local, non-profit grassroots organization that provides shelter, support, counselling, advocacy, and outreach for abused women and their children in Kings, Annapolis, and West Hants counties. You can call their 24-7 Help Line at 902-679-1922 or toll-free at 1-800-264-8682
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: If you are feeling sad or distressed and want to talk, call 1-855-242-3310. Service is available in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut, English and French.
Nova Scotia Mental Health Crisis Line is a toll-free, 24/7 service delivered by the Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team (MHMCT). This provincial service provides crisis intervention for children, youth, and adults experiencing a mental health crisis or mental distress. Dial 1-888-429-8167
Information compiled by WGST.
|
|
You are receiving this email because of your affiliation with Acadia University. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
