The Province of Manitoba is recognizing the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women by sharing events of the past and voicing current concerns.

Ministers met at the Manitoba Legislative Building to hold a ceremony remembering the 14 women killed 32 years ago at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. After going over the events and holding a moment of silence, the conversation turned to domestic violence experiences today.

Humaira Jaleel says there is no place for violence in any religion. (Screenshot: Government of Manitoba/YouTube)"More than 70 per cent of victims of domestic violence are women. The violence continues to be a brutal reality for women and their children who flee a violent household every day and the thousands of women who do not report their physical or phycological abuse," says Minister Cathy Cox, the minister responsible for Status of Women.

Healthy Muslim Families Executive Director Humaira Jaleel says women who have immigrated to Canada may not know their legal rights. She says there is a lack of peer support and cultural-appropriate resources, wanting it to be taught that there is no place in any religion for domestic violence.

"I hold in my heart and I say a special prayer for those sisters who, as we stand here, are suffering in silence. Who are brave and reach out but haven't found a way out of their violent situation yet." Jaleel says. "I know you will. You are brave, resilient, and have the power to find your own path."

Jaleel says that when the pandemic hit, violence against women "became its own pandemic." In the spring of 2020, shelters were deeply concerned about the drop in calls for help.