WHEREAS November is Woman Abuse Prevention Month and November 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women; and
WHEREAS violence is the greatest gender inequality rights issue for women, girls and gender-diverse individuals. Our community is committed to ending femicide and all forms of gender-based violence; and
WHEREAS Femicide rates are on the rise in Ontario, with over 52 femicides in Ontario since November 26th, 2023; and
WHEREAS last year in Ontario, on average every 6 days a woman or child lost their lives due to men’s violence; and
WHEREAS Indigenous, Black, South Asian and South East Asian women and girls continue to experience high rates of violence, including femicide, on the 2022-2023 Ontario Femicide List
WHEREAS this month and throughout the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we acknowledge our community’s support of the Wrapped in Courage campaign and commitment to ending gender-based violence; and
WHEREAS there is an urgent need for greater investment and action to end gender-based violence in our community and throughout Ontario by all three levels of Government.
Now, therefore, I, Toby Randell, Mayor of the Town of Carleton Place, proclaim and declare that November 25th, 2024 shall be known as
“The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women”
and urge all citizens to recognize this day by taking action to support survivors and becoming part of Ontario-wide efforts to end gender-based violence.