NDP statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

NDP Status of Women critic Sheila Malcolmson (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) made the following statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women:

“Today, New Democrats stand with women around the world who continue to face violence in their everyday lives.

Sadly in Canada, on any given night, thousands of women and children are forced to flee domestic violence. It takes strength and courage to flee abuse and cyclical violence, but too many women continue to be turned away from shelters because of underfunding and overcrowding.

Violence against women costs $12 billion a year in Canada, where one in four women will be victimized in her lifetime. For disabled and Indigenous women and girls, the rate is much higher.

New Democrats condemn all forms of violence. And today, on the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we stand with all abused women and give our deepest thanks to all the support workers who assist women and their children in their darkest hour of need, and beyond.

We also commit to hold the Liberal government to end violence against women and match their feminist words with action, and invest in Canada’s network of shelters and transitional housing for women who are fleeing violence.

Canada must do everything it can to eliminate violence against women.”