Today, November 25th marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.  In Ontario, November is recognized as Women Abuse Prevention Month. While those of us at Nellie’s, and other women’s organizations work tirelessly everyday for the elimination of violence, today the international community and citizens around the world are asked to stop, pay attention, and take action to stop violence against women.

In Canada, the right to live free from violence is promised to all under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  Unfortunately for women who are forced to enter a shelter, this right has been violated by an abusive partner, family member, or friend.  According to Statistics Canada, in 2008, over 61,000 women in this country fled to a shelter to escape abuse and 146 women were killed before they could access help.  Since 1999 in the province of Ontario, 471 women (and 57 children) have been murdered by their intimate partners, who were later charged or committed suicide.   16 women have been murdered this year.  You can view their names here.

Last year at Nellie’s we provided shelter to 167 women and their children. Research confirms that the most dangerous time for a woman in an abusive relationship is right before she leaves and the most likely place for a woman to be assaulted or killed is in her very own home!  It is only with courage, determination, strength and perseverance that these 167 women left their abusive relationships in search of a better life.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women marks the first day of 16 Days to End Gender Violence.  During this time (Nov 25th-Dec 10th) we will be blogging to raise awareness and to commemorate key dates such as International Women Human Rights Defenders Day (Nov 29th), International Day for DisAbled Persons (Dec 3), National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (Dec 6), and International Human Rights Day (Dec 10).

We hope you’ll join us in creating awareness and inspiring action to prevent violence against women at home and around the world by sharing our posts with your family and friends.  You can click on “leave a comment” below to post to facebook, twitter, google+ or e-mail.