Families and communities: Uniting to end violence against women
November 25 – International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Surrey, November 24, 2010) Kamal S. Dhillion is a survivor of horrific levels of domestic violence. She fought back and is still fighting back.
Dhillion is the featured speaker at the Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) Communities Creating Safety event, which take place in Surrey on November 25th at the Bombay Banquet Hall.
“At 18, I was married with promises of a fairy tale life, but within weeks of my wedding, I was thrown into a world of abuse, violence and torture,” says Dhillion, author of Black and Blue Sari. Published in 2009, her book tells the story of how she transitioned from a toxic relationship to a life focused on liberating all women from domestic violence.
“I constantly looked death in the face, but I survived and now I work passionately to advocate for the women and children who are silently suffering abuse. Leaving your abuser means you are taking the first vital step – you are empowering yourself and your children,” says Dhillion.
In December1999, the United Nations dedicated November 25 as the International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women recognizing that violence against women is a “manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women,” that creates and reinforces male domination over women. Across the Lower Mainland and internationally, November 25 is day one of 16 days of global activism against gender violence.
“We’re inviting everyone to join BWSS for a special Community Café event to honor the stories, experiences and the unheard voices of women and their families,” says Angela MacDougall, BWSS Executive Director.
“Our discussions on the 25th will be moderated by men and women because our most important message is that women and men need to work together to eradicate violence against women.”
“As a young man, I know my responsibility: I tell men to learn what their role is in ending violence against women,” says Sebastian Roberts, whose eyes were opened when he worked with women in Africa.
“I know that sexism is the root cause of violence against women. It’s like an invisible plague that’s taking the lives of women around the world.”
Roberts works with BWSS and other men, including Troy Westwood, a former kicker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who urges men to take action.
“I have a simple message for men: Violence against women will only end, when we as men stop it,” says Westwood, who lives in Winnipeg.
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Contact: Angela Marie MacDougall, Executive Director, Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS)
604-808-0507
Troy Westwood 204-295-7797
Sebastian Roberts 778-228-9386
International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women: Communities Creating Safety Community Café
Sponsored by: Battered Women’s Support Services
Date: November 25, 6: p.m.
Location: Bombay Banquet Hall
7475 –135 Street, Surrey, B.C.
Tickets: $40 per person – Buffet dinner – no one turned away
For more information: 604-687-1613 or strategicinterventions@bwss.org
www.bwss.org
www.theviolencestopshere.ca
