CFUW Vernon holding virtual event to stop violence against women

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Men are being asked to take a stand against violence against women.

The Canadian Federation of University Women Vernon is inviting men and women who want to eliminate violence against women to a virtual presentation that addresses issues around violence.

Be an Agent for Change: on the Road to Eradicating Violence Against Women will take place Monday at 7 p.m.

“Men listen to other men, and therefore enlisting men to speak out against violence women is more effective than having women always speaking about the situation,” says organizer Bev Weidman.

“The goal is to encourage men to stand up and speak out against violence against women and not to tolerate misogynistic, denigrating, or abusive language and behaviour because men can be very effective when they speak to their peers.”

The CFUW Vernon advocates on issues relating to women, as well as raising money to provide scholarships at Okanagan College, mainly for women.

“We hold events for initiatives like 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence and International Women's Day,” Weidman said,

The United Nations is marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10, under the global theme set by the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE campaign Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now.

According to UN, nearly one in three women have been abused in their lifetime. In times of crises, the numbers rise, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent humanitarian crises, conflicts and climate disasters. A new report from UN Women, based on data from 13 countries since the pandemic, shows that two in three women reported that they or a woman they know experienced some form of violence and are more likely to face food insecurity.

Only one in 10 women said that victims would go to the police for help.

Weidman said the virtual event will look at how “our culture in general, and male culture specifically, contribute to the problem.

The event will also include information about organizations like the White Ribbon Campaign and Moose Hide Campaign that work with and train men to change the culture and ally with women to work towards ending violence against women and girls.

At the end there will be two lists of 10 things men, and also women, can do to work toward ending the violence.

To register for the event, send an email request to [email protected], or click here.