Women in Vancouver and in Canada are verbally harassed by men who are unpredictable and at times dangerously aggressive. It's an all-too-familiar situation that many women in our community face, and it's one that makes us feel vulnerable and unsafe in spaces that should be welcoming and secure for everyone.

Imagine the constant fear of encountering someone who might have a weapon, like a knife, hidden in their pocket, ready to escalate a verbal assault into something far more terrifying. For women in our area, this isn't a scene from a crime drama—it's a recurring nightmare. We deserve the right to protect ourselves with accessible and effective self-defence tools such as pepper spray or tasers.

In many provinces, laws restrict the carrying of these non-lethal self-defence tools, leaving women defenceless in potentially dangerous situations.

We call on the local government officials to amend current laws prohibiting the possession of these self-defence tools. By doing so, we are not just protecting women from potential harm but empowering them to move freely and confidently in their own communities.

Please join us in this vital fight for women's right to self-defence. Sign this petition to legalize and make accessible the carrying of personal safety devices like pepper spray and tasers. Together, we can take a stand for safer streets and a more secure future for all women.