‘Meri Awaaz’ event breaks silence on domestic violence

To break the silence on domestic violence Mannu Sandhu and Jessie Lehail in community partnership with SFU have organized Meri Awaaz (My Voice). Meri Awaaz - My Voice takes place on March 8th, 2015 at Simon Fraser University, Surrey Campus. The event is a public engagement workshop/symposium that aids in awareness, focused dialogue, and empowerment on the topic of abuse and South Asian women and collaboratively brings together various stakeholders.

“Domestic violence isn’t about any one socio-economic or ethnic group, this is about all of us. However, since Mannu and I are both South Asian, we felt it was our responsibility to create dialogue and collaboration within our own community,” said Jessie Lehail, Meri Awaaz co-organizer. We want this event to be a catalyst to break the silence and stigma associated with domestic violence.”

Domestic violence killed 113 women in B.C. from 2004 to 2014, according to the province, and more than 12,300 police-reported victims of intimate partner violence throughout the province in 2013. Domestic violence is still the most pervasive forms of violence against of women and continues to be perpetrated in their homes by the people they love.

“Women’s issues are human issues. Far-reaching concerns like gender equality, education, and access to markets affect men and women alike at work, home, and in our communities,” said Mannu Sandhu, Meri Awaaz co-organizer

Meri Awaaz occurring on International Women’s Day is no coincidence. The day provides a powerful way to advocate for greater action and investment towards domestic violence. By joining forces with local experts and organization in the Lower Mainland, Meri Awaaz aims to leverage the collective resources to amplify discussion about domestic violence through various lenses

“We believe by sharing expertise, advocates and legislators can end domestic violence. We need to come together as a community with various stakeholders - inform and connect all those concerned with this issue, because together we’re stronger,” said Lehail

There is no cost to attend, but donations are being collected for Surrey Women’s Centre. Anyone interested in the topic of domestic violence is encouraged to attend

When:

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Sunday, March 8, 2015

Where:

Simon Fraser University, 250, 13450 –102nd Avenue

Room 2600

Surrey, BC V3T 0A3, Canada

Please RSVP HERE