December 6 – National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
On December 6, 2025, we will mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. We remember that 36 years ago, the lives of 14 young women were tragically taken in a misogynistic attack at École Polytechnique in Montreal. This tragedy deeply affected their families, their loved ones, the survivors, and people across Canada.
Sadly, violence against women remains a stark reality. In workplaces, women and people of diverse gender identities are more likely to be the targets of violent behaviour, particularly from third parties such as clients, patients, or users of services.
Femicides are also on the rise. In 2024 alone, 240 women and girls were murdered – one every two days, most often by men. We are also witnessing a troubling increase in misogynistic, transphobic, and homophobic hate, fuelled by the alarming spread of anti-feminist and anti-trans misinformation online, which emboldens acts of violence offline.
Honouring the memory of the victims also means saying their names so they are never forgotten. Today, let us remember these young women, their dreams, their potential, and the immeasurable loss felt by those who loved them:
- Geneviève Bergeron
- Hélène Colgan
- Nathalie Croteau
- Barbara Daigneault
- Anne-Marie Edward
- Maud Haviernick
- Maryse Laganière
- Maryse Leclair
- Anne-Marie Lemay
- Sonia Pelletier
- Michèle Richard
- Annie St-Arneault
- Annie Turcotte
16 Days of Activism: A Call to Action
From November 25 to December 10, we invite you to join the international campaign of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This period is a powerful opportunity to move from remembrance to action. Each of us can help end gender-based violence by:
- showing openness and listening with care;
- believing and supporting survivors and those affected by violence;
- educating ourselves on the realities of violence and on workplace policies related to violence and harassment;
- speaking out against hateful, discriminatory, or violent behaviour;
- learning about and sharing the 16 ways to end gender-based violence.
Every action matters. Together, let us continue our collective effort to build safer, more inclusive, and violence-free communities and workplaces. Through several of its workshops and discussions – including the full-day workshop Preventing Harassment and Violence in the Workplace – the JLP creates spaces for dialogue, support, and solidarity.