Rally for Rumana Manzur

We Can BC calls on lower mainland residents to rally in support of Rumana Monzur and take a stand against violence against women

Vancouver, BC:  The We Can End All Violence Against Women coalition of BC (‘We Can BC’) is encouraging all residents in the lower mainland to attend the rally in support of Rumana Monzur, a UBC student who was viciously attacked by her husband in Dhaka, Bangladesh on June 5.

“It is extremely important, while we share in our grief for this terrible event, that we do not condone this behavior by remaining silent,” said Rick Craig, We Can BC co-chair and Executive Director of the Justice Education Society. 

“People must stand up and show that they will not tolerate violence against women, whether here in Canada, or anywhere else in the world.”

That this crime was committed against a South Asian woman, also studying and living in Canada, speaks to the borderless nature of violence against women, added Craig.  The We Can campaign BC was started by a collection of countries in South Asia, including Bangladesh.

“Violence against women takes different forms in different countries,” Craig said.  “But it is not a regional problem – it’s a worldwide problem.”

Miriam Palacios, We Can BC coalition member and Policy and Outreach Officer for Oxfam Canada, echoed this sentiment.

“Violence against women, no matter where it occurs, is a violation of human rights,” said Palacios.  “It is critical that we take this time to reflect on the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to these kinds of heinous acts of violence towards women.”

The opportunity to do just that – the rally to support Rumana Monzur – will be held on Sunday June 26, 2011 at 3pm, on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

About We Can BC

We Can End All Violence Against Women BC is a coalition of more than 60 BC-based organizations and individuals from diverse communities who are committed to a long-term and sustained process of changing attitudes that perpetuate violence against women.  For more information, visit www.WeCanBC.ca.

Media Contact:  Natalie Hill (classmate of Rumana Monzur, We Can Campaign),
604 363 3201; Natalie@wecanbc.ca

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