35 Years Later: Take Action Now on Gender-Based Violence
On December 6, 1989, 14 women were murdered in an act of misogynist violence at École Polytechnique in Montréal, perpetrated by a man claiming to be “fighting feminism.” He first opened fire on women in a mechanical engineering class. Women were targeted because of their gender, and 13 students and one administrator were killed.
In 1991, the Parliament of Canada designated December 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Vigils are held across the country to pay tribute to the women who lost their lives in this horrific act. It is also a day to reflect on how gender-based violence occurs today and to act against all forms of gender-based violence.
HSA represents members all over the province who work in transition houses, family service agencies, and community health organizations supporting people who have experienced gender-based violence. Thank you for the difficult and important work you do that makes a difference in many people’s lives.
What is gender-based violence?
Everyone has the right to live free from violence. However, many Canadians across the country continue to face violence every day because of their gender, gender expression, gender identity, or perceived gender. This is referred to as gender-based violence (GBV) and is a violation of human rights.
Who is impacted by gender-based violence?
While violence affects all people, some people are more at risk of experiencing violence because of various forms of oppression, such as racism, colonialism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism. Certain people are more likely to experience gender-based violence including:
- Indigenous women and girls
- 2SLGBTQQIA+ people
- Transgender and gender-diverse people
- Older women
- Young women and girls
- Women living in northern, rural, and remote communities
- Women living with disabilities
The intersection of any two or more of the above-mentioned characteristics may increase a person’s risk and vulnerability to violence.
December 6 takes place during the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, which begins every year on November 25 and ends on International Human Rights Day. It follows the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20. On these dates and throughout the year, HSA encourages its members to take action against all forms of gender-based violence.
- Speak out about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, intimate-partner and sexual violence, and injustice in Canada’s criminal justice/prison system. Read the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
- Educate yourself and others about the root causes of gender-based violence. Read British Columbia’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan.
- Believe sexual assault survivors and promote a culture of consent. Distribute tools and resources on consent, such as this one.
- Reach out to your local transition house, sexual assault crisis centre, women’s resource centre, or friendship centre to see what volunteer opportunities are available, or other ways they need support.