Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) launches #AnswerTheCalls, 16 days of activism to end violence against Indigenous women, girls & 2SLGTBQQIA people

November 25, 2021

OTTAWA – The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) announces the launch of the #AnswerThe Calls campaign, 16 days of action to demand real progress on ending the violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people.

The campaign begins today, the 40th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day.

“It is time to stop talking about the fact that Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people are murdered or go missing in disproportionate numbers. It is time to act,” said Lynne Groulx, NWAC’s CEO. “Fortunately, we know what steps must be taken to end the violence because they have been laid out in the 231 Calls for Justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.”

Over the next 16 days, NWAC will point to eight of the Calls for Justice that the federal government must quickly begin to implement. The campaign will also point to the eight calls directed at members of the public, so individual Canadians can understand how they are part of the solution.

And NWAC will also tell you, through the campaign, about 16 actions that NWAC has already taken as part of its plan, Our Calls, Our Actions, which was released last spring and outlines more than 65 costed, measurable actions the organization itself is taking to answer the Calls for Justice.

“For far too many years, governments, Canadians, and Indigenous women have been saying ‘someone must do something’ about this violence,” said Lorraine Whitman, NWAC’s President. “NWAC is doing much. But we can’t do it alone. We are pleading with the government and ordinary Canadians to join us in this effort. We are asking you to #AnswerTheCalls.”

-30-

Media Contact:

For information, or to arrange an interview, contact:
communications@nwac.ca
343-996-4565

Pour obtenir plus d’information ou prendre des dispositions pour une interview, contacter:
communications@nwac.ca
343-996-4565