Searching for an Inuk role model to end violence against women

Ending violence against women starts with changing the culture of abuse, and an Inuitwomen's group has launched a novel approach to making that change with its search forrole models for a new campaign.

The PauktuutitInuit Women of Canada are on the search for an Inuk to be a role model for others in their community. The group's violence and prevention department announced its national role model campaignon March 22 as part of itsPilimmaksarniqproject.

"It's a three-year project that we're doing, dedicated to engaging men and boys and ending violence against women and girls," said Rebecca Kudloo, president of the PauktuutitInuit Women of Canada.

It's an important issue for Inuit communities in Canada. Indigenous women and girls experience violence at a much higher rate than that of other women in Canada, and many communities in remote and northern areas of the country lack shelters and victim services.

In 2017, thePauktuutitInuit Women of Canadareceived $900,000 in funding from the federal government for the Pilimmaksarniqproject. Now they're encouraging people to nominate Inuitwho demonstrate healthy relationships, gender equality and violence-free living, the group said in a release.

"I know there are men that are very supportive of ending violence in their communities," Kudloosaid.

The goal isto find arole model to makethe star of a campaign to end violence against women in the Inuit communities of Canada.

"We will be showing videos and photos of the role models until the end of 2019," she said.

"Right now thorough videos on Facebook and Twitter we're trying to reach as many people as possible."

The nomination process for role models is ongoing until April 14.

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