Ottawa/Vancouver: The World Sikh Organization of Canada joined Sikh communities across Canada to take part in the One Billion Rising movement by providing care packages, treats and baked goods to over 800 women in 22 women’s shelters in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal. Each package was accompanied by Valentine’s cards prepared by Sikh children and students from local Khalsa schools and Gurdwaras.
One Billion Rising began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than one billion women and girls.
In Vancouver, local Gurdwaras participated in the initiative and served as drop-off locations. The response from the shelters which were served was overwhelming. Many residents noted how difficult Valentine’s Day can be when having recently escaped an abusive relationship. One shelter’s women decided to make a thank you card for the Sikh community.
WSO BC Vice-President Jasbir Kaur said, “The response to the event was once again wonderful. We received a great deal of support from local radio such as Red FM, Radio India and Sher-e-Punjab. I’d particularly like to recognize Kiran Aulakh of Shere-e-Punjab radio who, with her support, went above and beyond the call of duty in making the BC event a success.”
WSO President Dr. Amritpal Singh Shergill said, “what began last year as a local initiative in Vancouver has now gone nation-wide and has been an even bigger success than we anticipated. We know that as a society we all have a long ways to go towards ending violence against women, but we hope that this small token of our support will bring awareness about violence against women and will bring a little bit of happiness into the hearts of those who have been affected so that they know they are not alone.”
