Gender-based violence in Canada continues to disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized women. As members of the National Black Graduate Network (NBGN), we reflect today on the tragic loss of Alexandra Martine Diengo Lumbayi, whose death serves as both a devastating reminder and a call to action against systemic gender-based violence.
The Tragedy of Alexandra Martine Diengo Lumbayi
On October 8, 2024, Alexandra’s body was discovered near the marina on Saint-Quentin Island in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. Alexandra, a 21-year-old Congolese who was studying at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, was reported missing on October 2, 2024.
Thanks to the power of social media and the mobilization of Black communities in Quebec, her disappearance was not ignored. The swift response from The Black communities illustrates the strength and solidarity of the People in resisting the invisibilization of Black women’s experiences. Yet, Alexandra’s death reflects a harsh reality: the systems in place often fail to protect and value the lives of Black women, leaving families and communities to advocate for justice on their own.
