In honour of women around the world
Mar 08, 2013 • Last Updated March 8, 2013 • 2 minute read
The normal hubbub of the food court inside the Queen's University athletics centre was quietened for a few minutes Friday afternoon by the calming sounds of a cello and a violin.
The music, which accompanied a brief rally to mark International Women's Day, was in contrast to the stark message the handful of women brought to the students enjoying their midday meal.
"What we really hope is to draw some attention to the fact that women still aren't equal," said Deb Kinder, one of the organizers of the event. "Women can't be out walking on the street alone at night. Women still have a lot to fear. There are a lot of women who are oppressed. There are so many missing and murdered aboriginal women. All of it comes into play."
Kinder said Queen's women are aware of the dangers they face, exemplified by last year's abuse of the emergency blue lights on campus.
"Students are playing games with the blue lights and wrecking them," she said.
"So I think there is a degree of awareness on campus."
She doubts if one event, such as Friday's rally, would result in any drastic changes to society .
"But I think every event adds to the potential of changing some minds or getting people to look at the issues, changing people's focus a little bit."
She said Kingston may be no better or no worse than other cities when it comes to the safety and treatment of women.
"I think it varies. Even within cities it varies, depending on what's going on, depending on where you are, depending on the state of things," she said. "It's prevalent across Canada, for sure."
Michelle LaMarche, education and communications co-ordinator for Kingston Interval House and another of the organizers, said there is likely just as much violence against women in Kingston as there is in other communities.
"It may manifest itself in different ways, at different times, but it's really no different. It's just another community."
Oppression is something that, unfortunately, all women share, she added.
While Friday was International Women's Day, women around the world have been celebrating the whole week as International Women's Week with events and workshops.
According to the week's website, wedontstopkingston.com, still to come before things wrap up is a workshop on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the upstairs Loblaws classroom at 1048 Midland Ave. where a kinesiologist, a massage therapist and a nail salon technician will provide information on holistic health and time management.
Also on Saturday, the Central Branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library will host "Celebrating Women Working for Social Change: Sharing Dialogues of Resistance," from 1 to 4 p.m. Discussions will include exploring the place of feminism in social activism.
The week will end Sunday at 2:30 p.m. with a Slut Walk in City Park, a walk similar to the Take Back the Night marches, but one that opposes the victim-blaming that so often accompanies rape or sexual assault.