Georgian marks National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
Dec. 1, 2022
On Dec. 6, 1989, 14 young women were murdered, and others injured, at Polytechnique Montréal — targeted specifically because they were women. This act of violent misogyny shook our country and led Canadian Parliament to designate Dec. 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
On Dec. 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
Ways to commemorate the 14 women
Georgian is hosting various activities to commemorate the women and to build awareness of ongoing gender-based violence. For many, that violence has been magnified and amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Barrie
- Dec. 1: Campus and community supports for sexual violence and gender-based violence in front of the library from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Dec. 6: Vigil in GCSA Lounge (first floor of C building) from noon to 1 p.m.
- Dec. 9: “I have a voice” intentions in the marketplace (second floor of C building) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Orillia
- Nov. 30: Letter-writing station in front of the Welcome Centre from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Dec. 7: “I have a voice” intentions in front of the Welcome Centre from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Dec. 8: Vigil in the Theatre from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Owen Sound
- Dec. 6: Community vigil downtown at the Farmers’ Market from noon to 1 p.m. and a display on campus
Midland, Muskoka, Orangeville and South Georgian Bay
- Dec. 6: Displays on campus
View MyGCLife for the latest updates on these activities.
Other ways to mark National Day for Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
- Wear a white ribbon. You can make one at home or order one online
- Observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m. on Dec. 6
- Attend a vigil in your community
- Check out books and films on gender-based violence available through the library
- See more ideas, resources and tips on how to be an ally
Be part of creating change
As we remember lives lost, we reaffirm our commitment as a college to creating a teaching, working and learning environment free from gender-based violence. This means centering the voices of survivors in our actions, creating a culture where everyone is empowered to speak up, having a zero-tolerance policy, raising awareness through ongoing activities and events, and ensuring supports and resources are in place.
16 Days of Activism
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women coincides with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence (Nov. 25 to Dec. 10).
What’s gender-based violence?
Gender-based violence is violence committed against someone because of their gender, gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender.
While violence affects us all, some are at higher risk of experiencing gender-based violence, including (but not limited to): women, young women and girls, Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, transgender and gender diverse people, Black women, newcomer women to Canada, women living in rural and remote communities, and women living with disabilities. Gender-based violence isn’t limited to physical violence either and can take many forms (source).