National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
In 1991, the Canadian government designated December 6th as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
This day was chosen to mark the anniversary of the brutal murder of 14 women in 1989 at the École Polytechnique de Montréal. They were killed simply for being women.
Much progress has been made in addressing gender-based violence but the hard truth is that on average, a woman is killed every 6 days in Canada by her intimate partner (Statistics Canada, 2021).
Half of all women in Canada will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. It can be physical or sexual abuse, emotional or verbal abuse, financial manipulation or control, spiritual abuse, criminal harassment or stalking. It can happen at work, at home or in the community.
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women 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 by making the voices of survivors at the center of your actions.
Here are some ways to honour the victims on December 6:
- Wear a white ribbon
- Observe a moment of silence
- Attend a vigil in your community
- Contribute of a feminist organization
- Participate in a training session
- Speak up against harmful behaviours
The JLP is proud to play a part in promoting inclusive and diverse workplaces free of violence, harassment and discrimination. You can find the full list of virtual discussions on the JLP’s website.