Advocates are drawing attention to the issue of femicide, which is the killing of women and girls because of their gender. They argue that it is easy for people to ignore or deny the prevalence of femicide in society. The former head of the London Abused Women’s Centre, Megan Walker, emphasizes the importance of naming femicide as it makes the issue more visible and helps in creating data around the occurrences. She points out that between 2018 and 2022, at least 862 women and girls have been victims of femicide in Canada, with the numbers steadily increasing over time.
Walker describes the current situation as dire, with women being killed every other day and facing various forms of violence, torture, rape, and trauma. She highlights the impact on women and girls who are trafficked into the commercial sex industry, emphasizing the need for action to address the issue. The London Police Services Board, where Walker serves as a board member, has pushed for the term femicide to be added to the Criminal Code in Canada. Despite several other countries recognizing femicide as a distinct crime, it has not yet been formally acknowledged in Canada.
The Ottawa Police Service has taken a proactive approach by becoming the first police force in Canada to use the term femicide in its policing efforts. Deputy Chief Trish Ferguson notes that femicide is often driven by stereotypes, gender roles, discrimination, and unequal power relationships between women and men. The decision to use the term was made after consultation with community groups, with the aim of drawing attention to the issue and raising awareness about the prevalence of femicide in society. Ferguson emphasizes the importance of not losing sight of the women and girls who have lost their lives and the impact on their families.
Since adopting the term femicide, the Ottawa police have identified specific cases as such, including the recent slaying of Brkti Berhe, a mother of four, and Jennifer Zabarylo. This proactive approach has led to other police forces reaching out to Ottawa for guidance on how to implement the term in their investigations. Ferguson believes that adding femicide to the Criminal Code would help address the issue and raise awareness about the significant number of cases occurring. She points to the history of Canada’s treatment of women and girls, including the missing and murdered Indigenous women and the Montreal massacre, as reasons to shine a light on the situation and make progress in addressing femicide.
The lack of formal recognition of femicide in the Criminal Code makes it harder for communities to prevent such crimes and treat them as serious offenses. Advocates like Walker and Ferguson argue that naming and legislating femicide is essential to address the systemic issue of violence against women and girls. By having femicide recognized as a distinct crime, lawmakers and decision makers can be made aware of the prevalence of these crimes and take steps to prevent them. The push to include femicide in the Criminal Code aims to create a safer and more accountable society for women and girls, ensuring that they are not treated as disposable and that their lives are valued and protected.
