August 27, 2006

by Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean

On Sunday, October 22, in Montreal, I took part in an international conference on violence against women. Hundreds of representatives, women and men alike, from over 40 countries came together to discuss their commitment, expertise and the actions that they are taking to break the silence surrounding so many tragic situations being faced by thousands of women and families around the world. What was most moving was paying tribute to Athanasie Mukarwego and listening to her courageous story, the story of a Rwandan mother who survived being raped by hundreds of men during the bloody days of genocide in her home country. What keeps her moving forward after living through such an ordeal and such slaughter is being able to speak out and take action to give renewed hope to women everywhere who have been humiliated and whose dignity has been violated. In the midst of a war or behind the closed doors of the family home, here in Canada or abroad, to attack women and their rights is to fly in the face of life itself, to make a mockery of humanity. This conference left no doubt as to how we are all affected.

As I left the conference, I was met by a group of men who had been protesting outside and who shared with me their own feelings of helplessness, believing that, in divorce cases, the courts tend to give more weight to the mother’s testimony than to the father’s. It saddened me that these men had not chosen to join their voices and point of view to those of the participants gathered inside who were calling for the breaking down of barriers, and for dialogue and respect between men and women. Only by joining our strengths, our perspectives and our experiences will we be able to counteract all forms of violence. 

Let’s continue this discussion on the BloGG and on the forum. Violence against women: It’s EVERYONE’s business!