Halton Members of Parliament are spreading the message far and wide about the impact men and boys have in the fight against gender-based violence.
Local MPs Karina Gould (Burlington), Pam Damoff (Oakville North-Burlington) and Adam van Koeverden (Milton) recently hosted an all-party Hope in High Heels on the Hill - an Ottawa version of the annual event organized by Halton Women’s Place.
The walk started as an avenue for men and boys to show support for women experiencing domestic violence by wearing hot-pink heels and has evolved and grown to include everyone of all ages and ability levels.
Halton Women’s Place is an organization that offers shelter and support to women and children in crisis. Hope in High Heels has been organized in Halton for the past 13 years to help raise funds for these services, and to raise awareness of this ongoing issue. This year, Halton Women’s Place will be hosting two Hope in High Heels events in Burlington and Milton in September.
Quotes
“I am excited to welcome back the Halton Women’s Place to Parliament Hill for the fourth Hope in High Heels on the Hill. It has been several years since we have been able to gather and raise awareness on this critical issue that impacts all Canadians. It is important that we take the time to educate and engage men on these issues and their role in ending violence against women. While our government has taken action to address gender-based violence across the country, we know that there is more work to be done. Starting the conversation around gender-based violence is not easy, but is essential to continue forward on the path towards ending gender-based violence across the country.”
- Karina Gould, Member of Parliament for Burlington
“I am excited to see the success of Hope in High Heels and the momentum it has gained over the years. We are thrilled to partner with Minister Karina Gould and bring the conversation about ending gender-based violence to Parliament Hill. It is through initiatives like Hope in High Heels that we can raise awareness and advocate for systemic change that will end violence against women once and for all.”
- Laurie Hepburn, Executive Director of Halton Women's Place
“All women have the right to live free from violence and abuse. Acts of gender-based violence can prevent young women and girls from leading fulfilling lives as equal members in Canadian society. I am thrilled to welcome Halton Women’s Place back to Parliament Hill. Their on-going partnership with Members of Parliament is critical to ending gender-based violence in our community and across Canada. We must all work together to affect systemic change in order to end sexual violence and it is absolutely necessary to engage men and boys in addressing this violence. By inviting men to literally walk in a woman’s shoes, the Hope in High Heels movement brings them into the conversation and enables men to be a vital part of the solution.”
- Pam Damoff, Member of Parliament for Oakville North-Burlington.
“Every woman has the right to a life free from abuse and violence. Women have been disproportionally impacted by the effects of gender-based violence preventing women and girls from across Canada to live fair and equitable lives. Halton Women's Place is an essential service organization in Halton region that offers shelter and crisis services for women facing abuse. The Halton Women's Place annual Hope in High Heels event is a reminder that we must all walk together to end sexual and gender-based violence.”
- Adam van Koeverden, Member of Parliament for Milton
