Violence against women is unfortunately, nothing new.
But, given the events of the last year, and the increasing number of men who are stepping up to lend their voices to eradicating the culture once and for all, what is new is how the issue is being addressed.
Victoria Pruden, executive director of B次元官网网址� a non-profit that provides employment training for women working through the challenges of trauma and abuse B次元官网网址� is gearing up to host the organizationB次元官网网址檚 annual luncheon for International WomenB次元官网网址檚 Day, March 8.
B次元官网网址淵es, we want to highlight the achievements of women, but we also want to have frank conversations about how to end violence against them,B次元官网网址� Pruden says, and one crucial way of doing that is inviting men to the conversation.
Former BC Lions player J.R. LaRose, spokesperson for Be More Than A Bystander, the campaign tackling toxic masculinity and talking about the role of male allies in ending violence against women, will be one of two guest speakers.
B次元官网网址淲hat I love and admire about J.R. is that heB次元官网网址檚 not only a former CFL player, heB次元官网网址檚 also an Indigenous man,B次元官网网址� Pruden explains. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 really taking the lead to get out there and talk to thousands of boys and youth and really be a male role model who is changing the culture.B次元官网网址�
LaRose will join Tracy Porteous, executive director of Ending Violence BC, to help shift the language from a B次元官网网址渨omanB次元官网网址檚 issueB次元官网网址� to equally a B次元官网网址渕anB次元官网网址檚 issue,B次元官网网址� since the majority of perpetrators of relationship and sexual violence are male.
B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 amazing,B次元官网网址� Pruden says of Porteous, a native of Victoria and longtime advocate of the womenB次元官网网址檚 movement. B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 so committed, so dynamic and so passionate about making a real difference.B次元官网网址�
Is your workplace in support of ending violence against women?? Make it known, get your corporate or nonprofit table for the "8th Annual International Women's Day Luncheon"!!
B次元官网网址� Bridges for Women (@Bridges4women)
Holding the luncheon at VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Union Club of B.C. is particularly meaningful because of its long past as a men-only space. Pruden says their support in allowing the event to return each year B次元官网网址渞eally helps to bust their history.B次元官网网址�
All proceeds from a silent auction and sponsored tickets go directly toward Bridges, on the eve of its 30th anniversary. Often the women who participate in the programs are on limited incomes as they begin the process of healing in order to graduate and re-enter the work force, Pruden says. The proceeds also enable them to attend the event, providing an opportunity to interact with donors and business people in the community.
B次元官网网址淸The luncheon] is really honouring of them and the work theyB次元官网网址檝e done,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淲omen canB次元官网网址檛 do it alone.B次元官网网址�
For tickets to the International WomenB次元官网网址檚 Day Luncheon, visit .
