On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara (CSCHN) is calling for greater mobilisation to tackle all forms of violence suffered by women and girls, emphasising the need for immediate responses tailored to the realities of our region. Faced with the worrying increase in feminicide and the escalation of gender-based violence, it is more crucial than ever to provide tangible solutions and put in place resources tailored to our communities, including French-speaking emergency shelters.
Feminicide: an alarming and persistent reality
The figures are implacable: acts of feminicide continue to rise, shattering lives and leaving families in mourning. Behind every statistic is a woman, a mother, a daughter, a friend, brutally torn from her future. Feminicide is the ultimate form of violence, often preceded by years of abuse and control. As a society, we have a duty to protect women and ensure their fundamental right to safety. As such, we reiterate our call for stronger measures to prevent these tragedies and save lives.
The housing crisis: an additional obstacle for survivors
The housing crisis exacerbates the risks faced by women trying to escape violence. Access to affordable housing is increasingly difficult, and shelters are at capacity. For many, the lack of available and accessible housing is becoming an insurmountable obstacle, forcing them to choose between remaining in a dangerous situation or becoming homeless.
The lack of support infrastructure for francophones makes this situation even more difficult. Francophone women in our region currently do not have emergency shelters that meet their linguistic and cultural needs, limiting their access to comprehensive and immediate help. The CSCHN is campaigning for the creation of a French-language shelter in our region, to meet the specific needs of our clientele and ensure that every woman has a place to take refuge, without language or cultural barriers.
Working together for lasting solutions!
On this International Day, we are calling on governments, community partners, leaders and civil society to join forces to take concrete action. Together, we must:
- Strengthen prevention and protection measures for women at risk.
- Invest in affordable and accessible housing solutions to enable survivors of violence to safely regain their independence.
- Support the creation of a French-language emergency shelter for women victims of violence in our region.
Every action counts in building a society where women can live without fear and where dignity and safety are a reality for everyone. VAW Team is committed to working alongside all women and girls to put an end to violence.
Together, let’s create a safer and fairer world.
Loubna Moric,
Director, Community Initiatives and Anti-Violence and Sexual Assault Programmes
905-528-0163
loubna.moric@cschn.ca
