Government of Canada marks beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

November 25, 2017 

Ottawa, Ontario - The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, today issued the following statement:

“The Government of Canada invites all Canadians to join in recognizing today as the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in Canada and around the world. Today is also the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

These 16 Days also include December 6th, Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, an important anniversary when we remember the tragic murder of 14 young women at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal in 1989 who were killed simply because they were women.

Recent public and media attention has renewed focus on what statistics have long confirmed: women in Canada and around the world continue to face disproportionate levels of violence each and every day.

That’s why this year’s theme for the 16 Days of Activism is #MYActionsMatter. It represents a call to action for all Canadians, including men and boys, to be part of the solution by calling out and speaking up against gender-based violence.

The Government of Canada is challenging all Canadians to think about ways we can end gender-based violence in our homes, schools, communities, and online. #MYActionsMatter asks the question: what will you do to stand up against gender-based violence?”