Joint statement on the Women’s Memorial March
Premier David Eby; Kelli Paddon, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity; and Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, have issued the following statement to acknowledge the annual Women’s Memorial March:
“For more than 30 years, people have marched together in the territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to honour and remember Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ people who have been murdered or are still missing.
“All of us have a responsibility to come together on this day, and every day, to protect those who are most at risk of being targeted with violence. This is an urgent issue confronting First Nations, our province and country.
“Colonialism, discrimination, racism and other forms of systemic oppression mean that Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ people are disproportionately vulnerable to gender-based violence.
“In 1992, the first Women’s Memorial March was held in response to a woman’s murder on Powell Street in Vancouver and has grown to embrace all women in the Downtown Eastside.
“In honour of the people whose lives have been stolen, their families, and survivors, we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ people and addressing the underlying root causes of violence.
“The urgency of this issue and the need for progress on reconciliation and meaningful action is woven throughout everything we do.
“This includes supportive homes for women experiencing or at risk of homelessness, as well as transition houses and safe homes for women and children facing violence. Additionally, funding for culturally responsive sexual assault services will continue to support survivors and communities across the province.
“We are working with organizations in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside that support sex workers and vulnerable women, including PACE Society and the WISH Drop-In Centre Society. In 2020, provincial funding supported WISH in opening Canada’s first-ever 24/7 temporary emergency shelter for street-based sex workers.
“And we are working on an action plan to address gender-based violence. Our work is being guided by Indigenous partners, an advisory committee and the many experts, advocates and leaders who came together in 2022 to provide feedback that will shape B.C.’s gender-based violence action plan. This engagement continues, as does our work to address gender-based violence.
“We recognize there’s much more to do. We will continue to listen, take action and work with Indigenous people toward a future where Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQ+ people and children are safe in every home, every workplace and every community in this province.
“Today is a day of remembrance to honour family, friends, survivors and loved ones. Today is also a call to action for all British Columbians to end violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ people.”