The Jian Ghomeshi scandal pulled the issue of violence
against women in Canada out from behind closed doors and into the public
spotlight. It reminded us that in many places around the world, including
Canada, human rights are still not recognized, respected or guaranteed. This
Human Rights Day we thought it relevant to present some of the obstacles women
around the world and in Canada continue to face.
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Women sharing their campaign posters following training for women
electoral candidates.
Photo: Abantu/Ghana |
• Globally, about one in three women will be beaten or raped
during her lifetime.
• Women account for
nearly two thirds of the world’s 780 million people who cannot read.
• Marital rape is not a prosecutable offence in at least
53 States.
• Half of all women in Canada have experienced at least
one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16.
• The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives estimates
that sexual assault and partner violence costs Canadians $9 billion annually
when all costs are considered.
• More than 3300 women in Canada and their children sleep
in shelters to escape abuse on any given night.
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Skills training in Senegal. Photo: Héloïse Courribet-Chouinard |
Crossroads works with our partners in eight countries to
improve the ability of women and girls to speak out against violence, to seek
access to justice, and to gain skills to support their livelihoods. But we’re
also collaborating with an alliance of more than 100 women’s organizations from
across Canada to raise awareness about women’s rights by calling for a leader’s
debate in the lead up to the 2015 federal election (a debate that hasn’t
occurred on this stage for 30 years now!). Up for Debate calls on all political
parties to participate in a federal leaders’ debate and make meaningful
commitments to change women’s lives for the better in Canada and abroad by
ending violence against women, ending women’s economic inequality, and
supporting women’s leadership and organizations. Add your voice to the debate and help make
women’s rights everybody’s business.