This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the murder of 13 female engineering students and one female teacher at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. Since this devastating event, Canadians have come together each year on December 6th to remember these women and all others who have been killed by an act of gender-based violence. As we have come to understand more about the depth of this issue and it’s prevalence across the globe, we’ve recognized that we need to do much more than attend a vigil on the 6th of December each year.
We need to take real action.
In 1991, the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute, held by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) at Rutgers University, initiated the 16 Days of Activism, an international campaign that runs from November 25th (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until December 10th (World Human Rights Day). This is a time for each person – woman, man or non-binary – to think about what they can do to end violence against women and take action to eliminate this form of violence in our world.
Women, children and those who live outside of the socially constructed gender binary should not have to live in fear just for being themselves.
Over our 40 years of service, LCIHCS has advocated for survivors of violence and brought what was once a hidden problem out into the light. We have worked hard to make the people of Lanark County understand that this is a community issue and we must work together to ensure that all members of Lanark County live without fear of violence. In collaboration with local municipalities, the OPP, service clubs, small businesses and kind-hearted individuals we have become a united force working to end gender-based violence.
And this year, as part of the #16DaysofActivism, we invite YOU to show your commitment to ending all forms of gender-based violence.
Below are a number of ideas for how you can take action and make our community safer for everyone. Decide what you can do, print this Commitment Page, write your commitment on it and post it on social media using the hashtags #LanarkCountyUnited and #16DaysofAction.
- Learn about the signs of abuse and educate your friends.
- Have an Awareness Campaign at work – everyone could wear purple and learn some facts about VAW.
- Hold an Education Day – invite local social service organizations to share their work.
- Sponsor a family for the holidays.
- Hold a third party fundraiser for a local organization.
- Make Corporate Giving the new norm.
- Make calls to your local MPP or MP to voice concern about VAW and the lack of funding for women’s programs.
- Review workplace policies on violence and if there isn’t one, make one!
- Post a statement condemning VAW on your social media (you can even share one of ours).
- Make a monetary donation to a local anti-violence organization.
- Attend the 30th anniversary vigil to honour the victims of the Montreal Massacre, held Dec. 6.
- Offer volunteer hours at a local anti-violence or LGBTQ organization.
- Organize a march at your school to raise awareness.
- Put an LCIHCS pamphlet (or other educational flyer) in everyone’s paycheck.
- Support Pride activities in our community.
- Don’t make sexist jokes and speak up when you hear one. Try saying “what did you mean by…?”
Write your commitment on the Printable Commitment Page and snap a selfie. Then share your photo on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtags #LanarkCountyUnited and #16DaysofActivism. Together we can raise awareness in our community and get everyone taking action to end gender-based violence.
Together, united.
Because Lanark County cares.
Follow our #LanarkCountyUnited campaign for the whole 16 Days of Activism, from November 25th (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until December 10th (World Human Rights Day). We’ll be sharing Community Commitments on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
