OTTAWA, Nov. 20 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women), today announced that on behalf of the Government of Canada, she is adding her name to the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) campaign, Say NO to Violence against Women.

"There can be no tolerance for violence against women," said Minister of State Guergis. "We must expose and end this worldwide affliction. Our Government is proud to sign and support the UNIFEM campaign to make violence against women a thing of the past."

UNIFEM's Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman, the official spokesperson for the Say NO to Violence against Women campaign, helped launch the initiative on November 26, 2007, in support of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the ensuing worldwide 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence. This period includes December 6, Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.

"Since the launch of the UNIFEM campaign, close to a quarter of a million people have signed on," said Minister of State Guergis. "Canada is a world leader in advancing equality for women, and we must all take notice and speak out in one united voice and say 'No!' to violence. I encourage Canadians to learn and be heard by visiting www.saynotoviolence.org and adding their name to this effort to end violence."

Status of Women Canada is a federal government agency working to promote the full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.

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