Missing and Murdered Women

In society women face an increased risk of inequality, marginalization, poverty and violence as compared to men. The feminist perspective believes that there is evidence that the state plays a pivotal part in the domination of men over women. The state allows and encourages patriarchal and heterosexual interactions in society (Mullaly, 2007). Society is patriarchal as positions of authority are mostly held by men in political, economic and educational institutions. Men have a sense of dominance by holding greater power and are perceived as being superior. The focus in the society is on men and what they do (Robbins, Chatterjee & Canda, 2006).  Feminists believe the relationship between the sexes is one of inequality and oppression. Social institutions and practices give the impression of being gender neutral, but traditionally and realistically these institutions are male dominated. Feminists advocate that women whose interests are marginalized and excluded need to have a stronger voice in social welfare policy. Some of the ways women have been oppressed and marginalized are they are among the poorest groups in Canada, they lead over 80% of single parent families and they are mostly the victims of male violence (Mullaly, 2007). Women make up the majority of groups who experience poverty; poverty and violence are closely linked and in order for violence to end poverty needs to end too (Step it up, 2011). Other ways women have faced oppression in society is they experience occupational segregation, lower wages and benefits; they are underrepresented in senior levels of public services and businesses (Mullaly, 2007).

            Being a woman in society can cause oppression, marginalization and inequality as men are seen as superior and more powerful. However, being an Aboriginal woman can magnify the negative treatment as race and gender can be a disadvantage to them. Intersectionality feminism is an approach to analyze disempowerment and marginalization to women. It explores the interaction between two or more types of subordination. It addresses issues like racism, patriarchy, oppression due to class, gender and other systems that that create discrimination and inequalities. It examines how acts and policies can work together for empowerment of the person (Center for Women’s Global Leadership, 2001, cited in Nira Yuval-Davis, 2006). Therefore Aboriginal women can face discrimination and deal with issues such as racism, classism, stereotypes and gender inequalities. They are some of the poorest and most marginalized women in Canada (Culhane, 2003).

Aboriginal women have lost power in society from the effects of colonization and residential schools by being denied their culture, identity, language, spiritual beliefs and customs (Menzies, 2008). The European patriarchal values and structures were imposed on Aboriginal peoples and this removed the positions of respect from women (Culhane, 2003). Recently there are many missing Aboriginal women counted in the Sisters in Spirit project. They have encountered racism, poverty, stereotypes, sexual discrimination and violence towards them. Indigenous women are five to ten times more likely to encounter assault or violence than non Aboriginal women (Mitchell, 2011). The news article Breaking the Cycle of Violence isn’t Easy is about an Aboriginal woman who experienced violence in Ottawa. This is one case of hundreds in Canada where over the years Aboriginal women have been murdered or have gone missing. Aboriginal women are more likely to encounter violence especially if they are between twenty five and forty four (Rabson, 2011). For many years communities have had high levels of missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada. There is a higher percentage in urban areas. In 2010 the Native Women’s Association of Canada gathered information on 582 cases across Canada. In Ontario they found information on 70 cases of missing or murdered Aboriginal women. There are other areas in Canada that have had high numbers of cases which indicate that this is a National concern. According to Native Women’s Association of Canada 88% of the missing and murdered women were mothers. This sheds light on the intergenerational impact of the issue. There is a need to support the family and community to assist the children making sure they stay connected and are supported for healing to occur (Native Women’s Association of Canada, 2010).

There are many different perspectives concerning how the Canadian government and law enforcement is addressing the problem of missing and murdered Aboriginal women. Some believe that the treatment of the law enforcement authorities towards the women is part of the problem (Mitchell, 2011). In Vancouver an issue of concern was that racism was shown by police as they were slow to respond to calls about domestic and street violence for Aboriginal women (Culhane, 2003). The prioritization of crime must be corrected for this issue to improve. Funding initiatives within the government to address this problem are developed without consultation or consideration of the voices of the Aboriginal women (Mitchell, 2011).

            Solutions to this problem could best be addressed from a feminist perspective. Feminists believe you need to understand the impact of issues, polices, programs and actions on women with the goal of empowerment and equality. A possible action could be for the government to ask the Aboriginal women how the violence has affected and impacted them. They need to consider the needs of Aboriginal women and what they think should be done; it is important to listen respectfully to those who are oppressed to find out how to better include them in the solution. The affected Aboriginal women need to direct the action the government makes. It is important to ensure the voices and experiences of all abused and affected women are heard when working towards change. There needs to be a greater effort to decrease the barriers of inequality for the women. The necessary short term action that needs to be taken is to create safe places for the women such as shelters and drop in centers that are safe from violence where they can talk to other women to receive support. Actions need to be taken from the women’s perspective to help work towards change so future generations do not grow up with the same inequality and marginalization. Women’s voices need to be heard and they need to be empowered.

Lori

References

Culhane, D. (2003). Their spirits live within us: Aboriginal women in downtown eastside Vancouver

emerging into visibility. American Indian Quarterly, 27(3&4), 593-604.

Menzies, P. (2008). Developing an aboriginal healing model for intergenerational trauma. International

Journal of Health Promotion & Education, 46, 41-48.

Mitchell, P. (2011). Sisters in spirit. Herizons, 24(3), 5.

Mullaly, B, (2007). The new structural social work. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Native Women’s Association of Canada. (2010). Fact sheet: missing and murdered Aboriginal women

and girls in Ontario. Retrieved November 10, 2011, from http://www.nwac.ca/sites/default/files/imce/FACT%20SHEET_BC.pdf

Rabson, M. (2011, August 15). Breaking the cycle of violence isn’t easy. Winnipeg Free Press.

Retrieved November 9, 2011, from http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/breaking-the-cycle-of-violence-isnt-easy-127719623.html

Robbins, S.P., Chatterjee, P. & Canda, E.R. (2006). Contemporary human behaviour theory: a critical

perspective for social work (3rd ed., pp 114-118). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Step it up Ontario- end violence against women. (2011). Retrieved November 9, 2011, from

http://www.stepitupontario.ca/10-steps/step-4-end-poverty-now..html

Yuval-Davis, N. (2006). Intersectionality and feminist politics. European Journal of Women’s Studies,

13, 196-199.