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Municipalities are marking the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
The City of Owen Sound, the Municipality of Kincardine, and the Municipality of Saugeen Shores are all marking the event by lowering flags at municipal facilities to half-mast.
A vigil is planned for noon today in Saugeen Shores, and has been moved to Rotary Hall in The Plex.
A vigil is also planned in Owen Sound, for 5 pm at the Farmers’ Market.
On December 6th, 1989, 14 women were murdered at L’École Polytechnique de Montréal because of their gender. They were:
- 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
Ten other women and four men were also injured in the attack.
The day is a call to action to learn more about gender-based violence, to remember those who have lost their lives to it, and to speak up against harmful behaviours.
December 6th also falls within the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, where people are encouraged to use the hashtag #16Days to help normalize the conversation about the subject, and gives and opportunity to share how people are working to be part of the solution.
Intimate partner violence has been declared an epidemic in many communities. Rural areas have higher instances of IPV, and Indigenous women are more likely to experience abuse by a partner than white women, according to the Government of Canada.
Additionally, reports from police services, shelters, and local organization show an increase in calls related to gender-based violence across Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Canadian government also has a list of ways to honour the victims of the tragedy that took place in 1989, including wearing a white ribbon, observing a moment of silence at 11 am, and adding your voice to the conversation on how to end violence against women.