Today is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. It has been 35 years since the Ecole Polytechnique tragedy. Today is about remembering those who have experienced gender-based violence and those who we have lost to it. It is also a time to take action. A vigil to help mark the December 6th National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is being held at 6:00pm at Minto Park (102 Lewis Street). The vigil is being coordinated by several organizations including the Sexual Assault Support Center of Ottawa, Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women, Interval House of Ottawa, and others. Please plan on attending if you can.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence which aims to raise awareness and generate action to end violence against women and girls in communities around the world concludes on Dec 10th, International Human Rights Day.
You can help generate conversations about gender equality and respect by organizing events and activities during the 16 Days such as:
- Participating in or organizing your own local walk
- Developing artwork or art exhibitions with students
- Seek and support a social media campaign that draws on the strengths of your community
- On social media follow #OrangeUrHood and #16Days to participate and learn more
- Creating videos or podcasts that discuss the issue of gender-based violence
- Have grade appropriate conversations around equality and respect
- Organizing a teachers book club or a StoryTime in conjunction with the theme
- Organizing hallway art, banners, posters and lighting up buildings in orange
Need some inspiration for an idea every day?
Here are some organizations providing more than 16 ways to get involved and make a difference
- NNEDV is a social change organization dedicated to creating a social, political, and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists.
- This Government of Canada page lists of ways to get involved during the 16 days of Activism
- White Ribbon, an organization that is working to eliminate gender-based violence with a focus on educating men and boys to promote healthy masculinities and allyship.
- Draw the Line resource for educators, which was created by ETFO, White Ribbon, and the Ministry of Education. See this ETFO page for more info. There is also a French version.
- Global Citizen is a advocacy platform dedicated to achieving the end of extreme poverty, who believe in one world, one people – where everyone has an equal chance to thrive.
