The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence is an annual international campaign that begins on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and goes until December 10, Human Rights Day. This campaign started in 1991 to call out and speak up on gender-based violence, and to renew our commitment to ending violence against women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.
In Canada, we also observe the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women during the 16 Days to remember the women who were murdered during the tragic mass shooting at Polytechnique Montréal on December 6, 1989.
We invite you to join in our #16Days of Activism each day by educating yourself in the following ways:
Monday, November 25: Indigenous Students are invited to join the SRRO and IE departments for a beading and chats workshop with the Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Coordinator to learn more about violence against women and 2 spirit people.
Tuesday, November 26:Learn about 16 Days of Activism and gender-based violence by visiting the following websites:
Wednesday November 27: Don’t forget submit your piece for the Consent is Key’s Art Contest! Five winners will be given a $100 gift card, and their artwork will be featured in future Consent is Key campaigns. All mediums of artwork are welcome so long asthey relate to one of the contest themes. Submissions are due by November 30. Learn more here.
Thursday, November 28: Check out the book display at the Libraries & Learning Commons on gender-based violence. The libraries also have electronic books, including:
Friday, November 29: Learn about the human rights crisis of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women & Girls and Two-Spirit and Gender-Diverse People (MMIWG2S+). Indigenous women and communities, women’s groups and international organizations have long called for action into the high and disproportionate rates of violence and the appalling numbers of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada.
In Canada, research shows Indigenous women are 400 per cent more likely than other Canadians to go missing. The problem is so pervasive that the Canadian government does not know how many Indigenous women are missing or have been murdered.
Saturday, November 30 & Sunday, December 1:Spend the weekend educating yourself and learning by watching new series/movies and documentaries surrounding sexual and gender-based violence, some include:
- Sex Education: a comedy-drama that follows a teenage boy and his mother, a sex therapist, as they explore high school drama, new relationships, consent, sexual assault, and more.
- A Better Man: a Canadian documentary about a woman who meets with the man who abused her to see if he can take responsibility to heal and repair the harms he created.
- The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open: Set in Vancouver, this movie explores the complex themes of racialization, gender, and colonization through the bonds that two women form with one another.
Monday, December 2: Knowing about healthy relationships with is one key way to stay safe from violence. Learn more about Healthy Relationships.
Tuesday, December 3: Understand the connections between gender and sexuality, bias, and sexual violence. Research intersectionality and gender-based violence.
Wednesday, December 4: Get familiar with consent and what conversations about sexual preferences and boundaries could look like.
Thursday, December 5: Attend the panel to mark Remembrance at Niagara College for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. On this day we remember the women who were murdered during the tragic mass shooting at Polytechnique Montréal on December 6, 1989 and all those we have lost to gender-based violence.
Friday, December 6: Research and attend a community event for National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. College flags will be lowered to commemorate the day and the victims.
Saturday, December 7 & Sunday, December 8: Spend the weekend listening to informative podcasts and having important conversations with people in your life surrounding gender-based violence through Canadian Women’s Foundation.
Monday, December 9: Know your role in supporting people who have experienced gender-based violence. If a friend tells you they’re experiencing gender-based violence:
- Listen to them. Don’t interrupt. People need time to process an overwhelming situation – moments of silence are okay.
- Believe them. It takes courage to talk about GBV. Don’t dismiss their feelings, no matter how small the incident may seem to you.
- Let them know it was not their fault. No matter what they were doing, wearing, or saying, GBV is never the fault of the victim/survivor. Validate their feelings.
- Ask how you can help. Depending on the situation, your friend might need anything from a hug to professional support. Don’t assume what those needs are — ask, instead.
- Respect their decisions. It’s up to the person experiencing GBV to decide how they want to respond. Whatever they choose, have their back.
- Let them know about resources they can use whenever they’re ready.
Tuesday, December 10: International Human Rights Day. Each person is entitled to fundamental rights, including the right to equality, and the right to life, liberty and security of the person. It also recognizes the right to freedom of religion and speech and the right to participate in the cultural life of the community. Learn more here.
