Dresses on the Wind: A global call to Action Against Gender Based Violence

Canada has celebrated the Red Dress day every year since it started in 2010, they serve not just as memorials but as stark reminders of the voices of women silenced too soon. Initiated by Métis artist Jamie Black, The REDress Project began as an art installation that hung hundreds of empty red dresses in public spaces. This powerful visual serves to remind people of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit girls and women lost due to gender-based violence. Red Dress Day commemorates their lives, echoing the heartrending reality that permeates the lives of their families and communities, calling us to reflect on the systemic gaps that allow such tragedies to persist.

Across the ocean, in Nigeria, a hauntingly similar story unfolds with a chilling detail: many of the women who disappear are often found with body parts gruesomely removed, victims of ritualistic killings embedded within cultural and criminal practices. Their absences leave a void in the fabric of their communities, sparking sorrow and outrage among those they leave behind. These parallel tragedies, though continents apart are woven from similar threads of cultural practices and systemic indifference.

Globally, the urgency of this crisis is stressed by the United Nations' alarming statistic: some 47,000 women and girls worldwide were killed by their intimate partners or other family members in 2020 alone. This stark reality highlights the widespread nature of gender-based violence across all societies and the critical need for concerted action.

The story of missing Indigenous women in Canada is deeply woven into the fabric of the nation’s history, marked by decades of violence stemming from systemic racism and marginalization. Similarly, in Nigeria, the crisis of missing women is tied to cultural beliefs in the power of human body parts for rituals—a grim practice that has dark historical roots. Both countries' sociocultural dynamics significantly contribute to the ongoing crises, demanding a sensitive and informed response from all sectors of society.

In Canada, Indigenous women are often marginalized, facing stereotypes and systemic barriers that increase their vulnerability. Efforts such as the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls have led to important recommendations for change, though progress has been slow. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, laws exist to combat ritual killings, but enforcement is weak and inconsistent. The parallels in policy responses in both countries underscore the global challenge of translating policy into effective action.

Empowering communities and leveraging successful interventions like Canada's "Sisters in Spirit" show that change is possible. Similarly, in Nigeria, the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) has effectively utilized legal advocacy and education to protect women’s rights and combat harmful practices. Their efforts have led to greater awareness and a reduction in cases of gender-based violence in some communities. Building awareness through campaigns and leveraging technology can also play crucial roles in both preventing and addressing these issues. We must learn from these successes to push for systemic changes and ensure that no woman is left vulnerable.

As we reflect on the significance of the red dresses, let them not only remind us of the losses but also inspire us to act. The stories of these missing women call us to advocate for a future where such tragedies are no longer our reality, urging us to transform our grief into proactive change.