AFN Wants National Plan on Missing, Murdered Aboriginal Women

First Nations groups are calling for a national action plan on the issue of missing and murdered aboriginal women.
AFN Wants National Plan on Missing, Murdered Aboriginal Women
3/10/2010
Updated:
3/10/2010
First Nations groups are using the occasion of International Women’s Week this week to call for a national action plan on the issue of missing and murdered aboriginal women.

Shawn Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), said Monday that he hopes the commitments made in last week’s throne speech and federal budget will lead to concrete action.

“I was encouraged by the commitment of the federal government to take steps to endorse the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which includes specific mention of the need for states to work with Indigenous peoples to ensure that indigenous women and children enjoy the full protection and guarantees against all forms of violence and discrimination,” Atleo said in a statement.

“I am further encouraged that the commitments made in the budget mean that that indigenous women and leaders are finally being heard on this serious issue.”
More than 500 aboriginal women and girls have gone missing or been murdered since the 1960s.

The AFN has joined national and international indigenous and human rights groups to call on federal and provincial governments in Canada to develop an “inclusive process” that will lead to a national plan.

Although the budget did not specify how the $10 million committed to aboriginal issues over the next two years will be used, the AFN said it hopes the government is ready to work toward “meaningful and concrete actions that will bring clear focus, attention and resolution” to the issue of the missing women.

“Gaps in human rights and the justice system have allowed perpetrators to remain free and cases to remain unsolved. This is a national issue that requires a national plan to protect indigenous women and girls,” said AFN Women’s Council chair Kathleen McHugh.

McHugh said First Nations want to work toward developing a plan that would help police and the justice system become “more responsive” while launching specific programs to assist women who have been trafficked.

Also needed are more shelters and improved victim services, said McHugh, as well as addressing “the social and economic gaps which trap indigenous women in high-risk situations.”

The AFN and AFN Women’s Council are also recommending the creation of a non-partisan joint Parliamentary committee bringing together membership and resources from existing committees including Justice, Status of Women, Aboriginal Affairs and Public Safety to study the issue.