Ontario Human Rights Commission | Canadian Human Rights Agencies Call for Action

10.3.13

Ontario Human Rights Commission | Canadian Human Rights Agencies Call for Action: TORONTO, March 8, 2013 /CNW/ - Marking International Women's Day on March 8, Barbara Hall, President of the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies (CASHRA), today announced that the association has released a motion addressed to the Government of Canada.

The motion, unanimously passed by CASHRA members, urges the Government to work with Aboriginal peoples' organizations to develop and implement a national action plan. The plan would focus urgent attention on addressing and preventing the root causes of violence against Aboriginal women and girls, including poverty and systemic discrimination. It further calls on the Government to establish an independent and inclusive inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls in Canada.

"We hear almost daily how Aboriginal women and girls continue to bear a persistent and disproportionate burden of violence," commented President Barbara Hall. "I am pleased that the Ontario Human Rights Commission as a member of CASHRA, fully endorses CASHRA's strong stand pushing the federal Government to urgently address this very disturbing situation."