Ceremony honours women who face violence daily, and died as a result

Alternatives for Women in Prince Edward County held a ceremony of remembrance Sunday night in honour of women and girls who face violence daily and to mourn those who have died as a result of gender-based violence.

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women came about to honour the 14 young women who were separated from the men, then murdered, 26 years ago on Dec. 6 at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal.

At Sunday’s ceremony in St. Andrew’s Church, participants picked up a rose, read a victim’s name aloud, and placed the rose in a crystal vase placed among photographs of the 14 Montreal women and about a dozen local women who died violently – including Stephanie Gardner, Jessica Lloyd, Lise Marie Palmiere, Marie-France Comeau, Tracy Hanna and Whitney Hanna, Elaine Jeffery and Kamil Kellar.

Observance of the day asks community members to consider concrete actions to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

Alternatives Prince Edward is dedicated to providing safe and confidential services while working to end violence against women. The 24-hour crisis line is 613-476-2787. Visit www.alternativesforwomen.org