365 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence
Every year, November 25th marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence held each year by the UN. During this time, Canadians also commemorate the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6th, which marks the anniversary of the 1989 murders of 14 women at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal.
These days of recognition and action against gender-based violence serve as a harsh reminder of the reality experienced by many women both globally and in our communities. They remind us each year of how important it is for us to work actively to combat gender-based violence every single day.
Gender-based violence comes in many forms and impacts women and girls physically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically, and economically in both the long and short term. It can look like physical abuse but also can be sexual, emotional, financial, psychological, and even cyber abuse.
The statistics in Canada alone are harrowing:
More than 4 in 10 women have experienced some form of physical, sexual, or emotional violence by their intimate partner at some point, and women are 3.5 times more likely than men to experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes.
It was estimated in 2009 that in Canada alone, $7.4 billion was spent to deal with the aftermath of IPV alone, and that number has likely increased in recent years.
Indigenous women are at the highest risk of being impacted by gender-based violence, followed by immigrant women. This is an issue that impacts the racialized communities more than others.
On any given night in Canada, over 5,000 women and children are in shelters, and over 70% of them are there because of abuse. Additionally, over 300 women and children have to be turned away because shelters are at capacity.
Gender-based Violence in our Communities
Sakeenah Canada was created in response to the gap in services available to Muslim women and children facing domestic violence and homelessness. As the Muslim population in Canada continues to grow, unfortunately so does the need for culturally and religiously sensitive social services.
Immigrant women are more likely to experience domestic violence, with factors such as language barriers, limited access to community resources, and financial dependence on their partners limiting their ability to escape abusive situations. Cultural expectations and familial norms of ‘keeping the family together’ are another reason women struggle to leave.
Over 80% of total spousal violence across the country is not reported to the police, and that number is higher still for racialized women. Even when racialized women are brave enough to report the violence they experience, they are less likely to be taken seriously by authorities.
How can you help?
While hearing facts and statistics like these can be upsetting, it’s the unfortunate reality many women in our community face. One way we can start helping victims of abuse is simply by listening and supporting them. Relationships impacted by intimate partner violence and abuse are complicated and scary to navigate, and we need to offer our support over solutions. While offering support, we need to be careful to not make assumptions or judgments about someone’s situation, and to not project our own feelings over their circumstances onto them.
Just as charity starts at home, the most influence you have is within your own circles. By sharing resources and providing a listening ear, you can help empower someone to escape an abusive situation. Supporting organizations like Sakeenah Canada can help provide the right services for individuals in need, whether they need immediate shelter, long-term housing, or remote casework services.
Written by Hira Irfan - Marketing Coordinator at Sakeenah Canada. I love anything creative and using that creativity to serve my community. I’m a proud cat mom of two!
About Sakeenah
Sakeenah Canada, a national charitable organization, was founded in 2018 in response to a gap in culturally and religiously sensitive services available for women and children facing domestic violence and homelessness. Since then, our services have expanded to include mental health therapy and counseling. Sakeenah has also started The People’s Market, a food program that helps combat food insecurity, and has become the first licensed foster care agency for Muslim children in all of North America. We currently operate 8 transitional homes across Canada: Toronto, Brampton, Milton, London, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Regina, in addition to the first long-term housing program for Muslim women and children in Canada, in Windsor.
