December 6 marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada.

This day offers us an opportunity to reflect and take action against the phenomenon of gender-based violence in our society.

We are reminded to consider those women and girls for whom violence is a daily reality and do what we can to support all Canadians in finding the respect they deserve and are entitled to.

We need to identify and target the root causes of violence against women and take action to target the disrespect women and girls experience because of their gender.

One way we have acted to protect females from abuse and exploitation is through the passing of Bill C-268.

This legislation aims to crack down on the trafficking of children by imposing a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment for anyone convicted of trafficking a minor in Canada. This minimum sentence increases to six years for cases with aggravating factors.

The majority of human trafficking victims tend to be females who are taken for the purpose of being sold into sex slavery.

By taking action to prevent the crime of human trafficking and imposing harsher punishments upon those who are found to be engaging in this horrific practice, we are protecting women and girls who are vulnerable to trafficking.

Our prime minister has taken a leadership role on the international scene to combat the human trafficking scourge that has inflicted many countries.

At conferences like the G-8 and G-20 Summits, he has worked hard to get all countries to band together and cooperate in preventing the enslavement of women and children and the transporting of them from one country to another.

However, there is still much to be done. Women experience gender-based violence on a day-to-day basis in so many forms and we should all take care to address the attitudes and practices that keep women from achieving true equality and that allow such violence to persist.

We call upon our communities to take December 6 as an opportunity to consider concrete actions they can take to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

This day should serve as a reminder to all of us to show our thanks and appreciation for the women in our lives by treating them with the respect they deserve.

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