The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) is marking the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
Today, we honour the lives of those murdered at École Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989 and all people impacted by gender-based violence. Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz.
CAUT remembers these women and reaffirms its commitment to fight gender-based violence, hatred and misogyny. University and college administrations must invest in prevention and support services for students, staff and faculty impacted by violence.
Last year, 187 women and girls were killed in acts of gender-based violence in Canada. Women who are Indigenous, Black, disabled, and / or trans are disproportionately targeted.
Today, CAUT joins advocates in demanding that the federal government address fundamental funding gaps in the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. We also call on federal and provincial governments to fully implement the International Labour Organization Convention 190 (ILO C-190), the first global treaty on violence and harassment at work.