AUPE Provincial Executive recognizes need to end violence against women
EDMONTON – Alberta Union Provincial Employees leaders from across Alberta bowed their heads for a moment of silence in recognition of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women at the union’s headquarters in Edmonton today.
The Dec. 6 Day of Remembrance was proclaimed by Parliament in 1991 to commemorate the deaths of 14 young women in 1989 at l'École Polytechnique Montréal. The women were shot to death at the school by a young man who was motivated by misogyny.
“Sadly, acts of violence against women are still too common, and are too often ignored,” said AUPE Vice President Sandra Azocar.
Figures from Statistics Canada indicate that of 146 female homicide victims in 2008, 45 were victims of spousal homicide. In 2007 40,200 incidents of spousal violence were recorded, accounting for 12 per cent of all police-reported violent crime in Canada.
“I hope all Canadians take a moment of their day Sunday to reflect on this tragic moment in our history and recommit themselves to ending violence against women. By reminding ourselves of this tragic event every year, we ensure that we never lose sight of that goal,” Azocar said.
Heightened social awareness and commitment to stopping such acts of violence may slowly be paying dividends: police-reported spousal violence steadily declined from 1998 to 2007, by 15 per cent.
AUPE President Guy Smith said unions play an important in the effort to end violence against women by continuing to educate members and fighting for safe workplace conditions.
“AUPE works to educate our members on violence against women and other key issues affecting women, and more broadly we continue to press for measures like working-alone legislation that would help keep everyone safe in the workplace,” Smith said.
“Our union’s recognition of this solemn and tragic day is part of our continued commitment to building a country in which women don’t have to fear for their safety simply because they are women,” he said.
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For more information:
Guy Smith, President, AUPE – 780-930-3301, or 780-265-2294 (mobile)
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE – 780-930-3311, or 780-717-2943 (mobile)