Gender-based violence is never okay

University President

I was deeply saddened to wake up this morning to news of the death in Pakistan of a former University of Waterloo student, Sara Inam. Sara was killed as a result of intimate partner violence. A talented economist and kind friend by all accounts, Sara is gone far too soon.

The continued prevalence of gender-based violence here in Canada and around the world weighs heavily on us all. Ms. Inam’s death comes on the heels of the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of Tehran’s Guidance Patrol – an act that has sparked massive protests in Iran and also here on our own campus.

I am proud of the students who are standing up against gender-based violence. Last week’s silent protest in honour of Ms. Amini was a testament to those who organized and attended it. Ensuring that we use our voices to speak out against this abuse is crucial.

There will be another silent vigil taking place tomorrow (Tuesday September 27, 2022) at 5:30 pm in front of Dana Porter Library to continue to raise awareness about Ms. Amini’s case and to continue to stand against gender-based violence in Iran and here at home. I encourage all those who are able, to attend.

We as an institution will be participating in the UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign. The campaign kicks off on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and runs to December 10, Human Rights Day. For more information on what the University has planned, please visit Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office’s website.