Prevention of Violence Against Women Week

Next week is Prevention of Violence Against Women Week (April 19th to 26th, 2010), so naturally we at Positive Women’s Network decided to blog about it.  The rates of violence against women in BC and Canada are discouraging to say the least.  For some of these statistics, visit The Violence Stops Here.  I’ve been surfing the web looking for events and activities around the province and I want to highlight a few.  Of course, this is just a snippet of what’s going on, but it’s encouraging to see so many groups organizing and hosting amazing initiatives to raise awareness and get people mobilized against gendered violence.

In the Lower Mainland, the Urban Women’s Anti-Violence Strategy will again be presenting a series of film screenings, panel discussions and interactive forums.  This important partnership of feminist women’s organization currently includes WAVAW, Vancouver Rape Relief & Women’s Shelter, Battered Women’s Support Services, YWCA’s Munro House and Act II Safe Choice.

There is also a full line-up of events planned in Prince George – hosted by a number of  groups including the Elizabeth Fry Society, Phoenix Transition Society, and John Howard Society.

In Kimberley and Courtney, an impressive list of organizations and businesses have banded together to present their own Clothesline Project.  T-shirts painted by women, with messages relating their personal view of violence against women, will be on display in various locations.

Meanwhile, The Violence Stops Here will be hosting a Men’s Roundtable, bringing together men’s anti-violence activists, professional athletes and politicians – urging men to own their role in ending violence against women.  For more information, contact Battered Women’s Support Services.

In the coming week, whether you are a woman or a man, take a moment to think about what role you can play in preventing violence against women, and check out some of the events in your neighbourhood.  If you are a woman experiencing violence, don’t hesitate to call WAVAW’s 24 hour crisis line at 604-255-6344 / 1-877-392-7583

-Miriam

This was posted on Friday, April 16th, 2010 at 10:00 am and is filed under Education & Resources, News, Special Events . Feel free to respond, or trackback. Read our comments policy.

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