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\u00a0Millions of Canadians want a national conversation on violence against women. Are all of our parliamentarians up for the debate?<\/div>\n
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Today is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which kicks off 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. The IAM thinks there is a need for our parliamentarians to get involved, the issue should be Up for Debate!<\/div>\n
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Following the launch of the Up For Debate campaign, two federal party leaders came out publically in support of a leaders\u2019 debate on women\u2019s issues during the 2015 federal election.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI fully support the idea of a leaders\u2019 debate that addresses women\u2019s equality in Canada, and look forward to debating these issues with the other party leaders\u201d said Thomas Mulcair in a letter addressed to the Alliance for Women\u2019s Rights. The Leader of the Official Opposition went on to say that a leaders\u2019 debate could help bring the issue of women\u2019s economic inequality and violence against women to the fore during the 2015 election.<\/div>\n
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Elizabeth May attended the Up For Debate press conference on Parliament Hill on November 4, publically endorsing the campaign\u2019s call for a nationally broadcast leader\u2019s debate on policies and issues that impact women\u2019s lives. \u201cThis effort has the Green Party of Canada\u2019s full support\u201d she said later that day on Twitter.<\/div>\n
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The members of the Up For Debate campaign, who represent four million Canadians across the country, welcome the commitment of these two party leaders. This debate is long overdue.<\/div>\n
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The conversation on violence against women has gone viral these past weeks. Discussions about sexism, discrimination and women\u2019s ongoing struggle to achieve full equality are taking place across the country \u2013 around water coolers, at dinner tables, in mainstream media and on Twitter.<\/div>\n
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It\u2019s time all of Canada\u2019s political leaders joined the conversation. Federal leaders cannot ignore this groundswell of voices.<\/div>\n
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The Up For Debate campaign is calling for a nationally broadcast leaders\u2019 debate on issues identified by women in the 2015 federal election, and is asking all parties to get serious about ending violence against women and girls, take action to end women\u2019s economic inequality, and support women\u2019s leadership.<\/div>\n
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These last few weeks have shown us that Canadians are deeply concerned about the status of women, in Canada and around the world. They want to hear how political parties plan to build a Canada that works for all women, and make equality a reality.<\/div>\n
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The question is: are all of our parliamentarians up for the debate?<\/div>\n
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For further information:<\/div>\n
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