December 6 is Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. On this day in 1989, 14 young women were murdered at l’Ecole Polytechnique in a targeted attack because they were women. Each year, YWCA’s across Canada remember the women and re-commit to taking action on violence against women and girls until our streets, our campuses and our homes are safe. It takes all levels of government, and Canadians to end gender-based violence (GBV).
What can you do?
- Follow #16Days on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
- Learn from experts on GBV. Read a blog, take a workshop or connect with our community partners.
- Speak out against GBV amongst your friends, family, classmates and co-workers.
What can your government do?
Nationally:
- The Government of Canada can implement:
- the National Action Plan on Addressing Gender-Based Violence following the blueprint; and
- the recommendations from Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Provincially:
- The Government of Alberta can:
- continue to prioritize the prevention of GBV;
- implement our recommendations related to the full implementation of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Act; and
- Support the engagement of men and boys, following the leadership of the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelter and their partnership with the Calgary Stampeders.
Municipally:
- The City of Calgary can:
- Fully implement its Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy; and
- promote the evidence-based work Calgary Police does to respond to cases of domestic violence in partnership with community agencies.
