Status of Women committee asks people to “Unite to end violence” during 16 Days of Activism

A vigil is being held at VIU on December 6 in recognition of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Listen. Believe survivors. Educate yourself. Speak out. Intervene. And act. 

During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign, individuals are asked to take these actions and become allies, not just during the campaign but year-round. This year the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Faculty Association’s Status of Women committee is supporting the campaign by hosting events and raising awareness on Facebook.

The 16 Days of Activism campaign begins on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and runs until December 10, World Human Rights Day.

The Status of Women is hosting a vigil on December 6 in recognition of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Dec. 6 is a day to honour and remember the 14 young women who were murdered in the 1989 massacre at École Polytechnique. The vigil is being held in the Malaspina Theatre lobby (Building 310) from noon to 1 pm. After speeches there will be a candlelight walk to the Jardin des Quatorze, near Building 460, which is a memorial garden erected to honour the victims of the École Polytechnique massacre. Everyone is invited to attend.

“All around the world, including here in Canada, women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ and gender diverse people experience harassment, prejudice and harsh discrimination,” said Eliza Gardiner, Chair of the Status of Women committee. “On December 6 we remember those we have lost to gender violence and renew our commitment to combat the hate and fear that led to the tragedy at École Polytechnique. We get together to refresh our work on ending misogyny.”

Other 16 Days activities include:

• The Canadian Federation of University Women – Nanaimo is organizing a lighting up of the Bastion building on Front Street, with accompanying guest speakers and banners to “Unite to End Violence” at 5 pm on Friday, November 25.
• Movies for Mental Health, presented by the VIU Thrive team – “Creating supportive communities for survivors of sexual violence” on Dec. 2, from 10 am to noon in Building 320, Room 105.
• Panel discussion, Women in Non-Traditional Occupations, at VIU’s Malaspina Theatre Dec. 6, from 6:30 to 8 pm. The discussion will examine the challenges and misperceptions women have had to overcome in jobs from science and engineering to technology and trades.

The Government of Canada’s theme for 2022 is “It’s Not Just.” The theme “reminds Canadians of the injustice of gender-based violence” and brings attention to how “society dismisses and minimizes attitudes and behaviours contributing to gender-based violence.”

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Media Contact:

Rachel Stern, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University

C: 250.618.0373l E: Rachel.Stern@viu.ca | T: @VIUNews