ON WOMAN ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

MPP Anand’s twenty-third Members’ Statement was on the topic of “Woman Abuse Prevention Month”, delivered on 7 November 2019.

See full transcript below:

“Mr. Speaker, can you imagine, around half of all women in Canada have experienced an incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16—that’s one in every two women in Canada over the age of 16. It is very unfortunate that woman abuse is an issue that still exists in our society.

The month of November is Woman Abuse Prevention Month. Every woman should be free from the threat of violence and live with peace of mind. While there has been progress, more needs to be done.

We have recently seen the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, being criticized for making choices not in line with royal protocol and public perception. Prince Harry stepped up to defend his wife and even considered leaving the royal family status to support his wife. This is a great example of a husband, a man, standing up to defend his wife for something she did not deserve. We all need to do our part.

Mr. Speaker, in my riding of Mississauga–Malton, a non-profit organization, Malton Women Council, is working with a vision of “Empowered Women, Empowered Communities.” I’d like to recognize this organization for providing opportunities and resources for motivating, mentoring and mobilizing women, families and communities. I’d like to congratulate founders Aaloka Mehndiratta, Anu Randhawa, Gulnaz Rehan, Samina Khan, Hafsa Taqdees, Parminder Randhawa, Mehwish Javed and Mohini Khosla for completing 10 years of community service.

Finally, I’m hoping for the day when November will be designated not as the month for woman abuse awareness, but as the month for celebrating no woman abuse and a celebration of equality among all.”