Proclamation - November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

WHEREAS November is Woman Abuse Prevention Month and November 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women; and

WHEREAS violence is the greatest gender inequality rights issue for women, girls and gender-diverse individuals. Our community is committed to ending femicide and all forms of gender-based violence; and

WHEREAS Femicide rates are on the rise in Ontario, with over 35 femicides in Ontario since November 26th, 2024; and

WHEREAS 37 different cities and towns in Ontario had a femicide occur in their community last year; and

WHEREAS Indigenous, Black, South Asian and South East Asian women and girls continue to experience high rates of violence, including femicide; and

WHEREAS men's violence has taken the lives of women and girls across the lifespan with femicide victims in the 2023/24 femicide list ranging between the ages of 2 months old to 89 years old; and

WHEREAS this month and throughout the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we acknowledge our community’s support of the Wrapped in Courage campaign and commitment to ending gender-based violence; and

WHEREAS there is an urgent need for greater investment and action to end gender-based violence in our community and throughout Ontario by all three levels of Government; and

WHEREAS a Wrapped in Courage Campaign flag will be raised during Woman Abuse Prevention Month in recognition that the courage of a woman alone is not enough, it takes an entire community to end gender-based violence; and

NOW THEREFORE, I Mayor Wade Mills, on behalf of Council, do hereby proclaim and declare that November 25th, 2025 shall be known as “The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women” in the Town of Shelburne and urge all citizens to recognize this day by taking action to support survivors and becoming part of Ontario wide efforts to end gender-based violence.