National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

December 6th is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. This day is about remembering those who have experienced gender-based violence and those who have lost their lives to it.

It has been over 30 years since the murder of 14 young women at Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal (December 6, 1989). This act of violent misogyny shook our country and led Parliament to designate December 6 as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

On December 6, we remember:

  • 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

  • Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz

As we mourn their loss and remember their lives, we reaffirm our commitment to fight against  hatred and gender-based violence. In Canada and around the world, women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ and gender diverse individuals face unacceptable violence and discrimination.

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is about remembering those who have experienced gender-based violence and those whom we have lost to it. It is also a time to take action. CCMW works tirelessly to fight against gender-based violence and advocates for the empowerment, equality and equity of all Canadian Muslim women.

Earlier this year, CCMW launched a Gender-Based Violence project aimed at developing a systemic change strategy and tools to address barriers Muslim women face in dealing with GBV, while also providing services coordination for Muslim women facing GBV. As part of this project, CCMW is launching a Policy, Program and Practices Review Guide to assist organizations serving victims/survivors of GBV in reviewing their policies, programs and service delivery practices with the goal of addressing the barriers to and improving services for Muslim women and girls.

​​We all need to do the work and educate ourselves about gender-based violence and centre the voices of survivors in our actions and speak up against harmful behaviours.

December 6 falls within the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Add your voice to the conversation between November 25 and December 10 and share the ways you are being part of the solution to end gender-based violence using the hashtag #16Days.

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