This notice is from the archives of The Notice Board. Information contained in this notice was accurate at the time of publication but may no longer be so.
Today, December 6, marks a very important and sobering historical moment for all Canadian post-secondary institutions. On this day in 1989, 14 brilliant young women tragically lost their lives simply because they were women who happened to be pursuing their academic dreams while attending École Polytechnique in Montreal.
In the 32 years since that senseless act, violence against women and girls — a widespread violation of human rights — persists. While research suggests many incidents of gender-based violence go unreported due to fear and stigma, that was not the case for the 14 young women who lost their lives in Montreal.
It’s imperative we remember their names: Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault and Annie Turcotte.
On this day, we recognize them, as well as reach out to all those whose stories have gone untold. Many of those stories are of Indigenous women and girls. The final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls reveals that violence affecting Indigenous women is not only consistent but is on the rise. It’s time we learned and remembered their names as well.
Violence against women is a worldwide issue that affects us all. In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly defined it as “any gender-based violence that has resulted or is likely to result in the physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering of women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.”
As a post-secondary institution, the University of Lethbridge needs to do its part to disrupt, discuss and address gender-based violence on our campuses, and be a leader within our communities. We must work to ensure all women and girls, regardless of their gender expression or gender diversity, feel safe, respected and empowered. All women, including Indigenous women and girls, 2SLGBTQ+, gender diverse individuals, and women living with disabilities, deserve the right to health, safety, education and justice.
In memory of the 14 lives lost on December 6, 1989, and the many others who have been impacted by gender-based violence, a lunch and learn webinar is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. today and our flags will be lowered. I encourage you to join the web session and participate in a moment of silence at 12:15 p.m. The webinar will be hosted by the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team from the President’s Office and Sexual Violence Prevention Education from Counseling Services within Student Affairs. Please join us as we reflect on our past and learn how we can all help create a brighter, safer tomorrow.
As this anniversary event can be triggering to many, please reach out if you need support and connect with the Employee Family Assistance Program (faculty and staff). For our students, please access assistance by contacting Counselling Services, the Iikaisskini Indigenous Student Centre, or connect with an Elder in Residence.
For more resources, consider the following links:
Final Report on the National Inquiry of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day
https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/take-action/16-days-of-activism
https://women-gender-equality.canada.ca/en/commemorations-celebrations/16-days.html
https://women-gender-equality.canada.ca/en/commemorations-celebrations/16-days/social-medi
Contact:
Mike Mahon | president@uleth.ca