Métis Nation British Columbia commits to 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence

Surrey, BC (November 25, 2021) – Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) invites you to join us for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This campaign, led by the United Nations Secretary-General and United Nations Women, aims to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls around the world, calling for global action to increase awareness, promote advocacy, and create opportunities for discussion on challenges and solutions.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence began as a means of organizing a strategy where individuals and organizations around the world can call for the elimination of violence against women and girls. This annual international campaign kicks off on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, November 25, and runs until Human Rights Day on December 10.

“Far too many women in Canada live in fear every day. For Indigenous women, racialized women, trans women, women with disabilities, and non-binary people, that violence is even more common,” says Dr. Kate Elliott, MNBC Minister of Women and Gender Equity. “The safety of our sacred Métis women, girls, and gender-diverse people is crucial to our Nation. I encourage Métis people and allies alike to thinking about concrete steps they can take to end gender-based violence.”

In the following weeks, MNBC will highlight topics from the Thanks for Listening report, the first ever report about Métis women’s experiences of violence and survivance in BC. The Thanks for Listening project began as a response to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people Interim report (2017), which concluded that the report was not inclusive of Métis women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals. This report was made possible through 407 survey responses and two grassroots focus groups with Métis women and girls.

“I believe that every part of our society, from governments, to organizations, to institutions, to individuals, must be accountable and commit to substantive actions that end all forms of gender- and race-based violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people,” says Region 4 Women’s Representative, Jana Schulz.

MNBC will continue to commit to elevating and celebrating Métis women and girls and share stories of how Métis women and girls are central to a vibrant and resilient Métis Nation.

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