November 2008

Louise Frechette receives 2008 Award of the Canadian Committee, UNIFEM

Helena Guergis, the Minister of State for the Status of Women, signed on to UNIFEM’s Say NO to Violence against Women campaign on behalf of the Government of Canada in Ottawa on 20 November 2008, during a Gala Awards dinner in Ottawa. She joins 159 Ministers and Heads of State of more than 55 Governments in adding her support to UNIFEM’s global call to action to eliminate violence against women.

“There can be no tolerance for violence against women,” said Minister Guergis. “We must expose and end this worldwide affliction. Our Government is proud to sign and support the UNIFEM campaign to make violence against women a thing of the past.”

She further appealed to the people of Canada by adding: “Canada is a world leader in advancing equality for women, and we must all take notice and speak out in one united voice and say ‘No!’ to violence. I encourage Canadians to learn and be heard by visiting www.saynotoviolence.org and adding their name to this effort to end violence.”

UNIFEM’s Say NO initiative, launched in November 2007, has garnered the support of nearly a million individuals. On 25 November 2008, signatures gathered through the campaign will be handed over to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at a high-level event in commemoration of the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, at the ECOSOC Chamber in UN Headquarters.

Mme. Guergis and almost 200 guests at the 2008 Awards dinner signed the initiative, urging governments to increase funding and take other actions to help stop violence against women. The 2008 Award recipient, Louise Frechettte, former Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, was among the many present who signed the initiative.