Equality Matters newsletter: November 2024

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence are nearly here. From November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, until December 10, Human Rights Day, let’s come together to call out and speak up against gender-based violence (GBV).

In this issue you’ll also find features on a new webpage about ending GBV against Indigenous Peoples, how Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) is driving change internationally and the 2024 recipients of the Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case.

Read on!

A Black woman speaks in a megaphone. 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence theme "Come Together, Act Now."  "Canada" wordmark

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence

Everyone has the right to live free from violence. However, many Canadians across the country continue to face violence each day because of their gender, gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender. This year’s theme for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence (16 Days), Come Together, Act Now, reminds us that we all have a role to play in addressing attitudes and behaviours that contribute to GBV.

Get involved by using the 16 Days 2024 toolkit or joining the conversation on social media by using hashtag #16Days.

An icon of three raised hands.

Ending gender-based violence against Indigenous Peoples

While anyone can be a victim of violence, Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people face a greater risk of experiencing all forms of GBV in Canada.

Learn how WAGE works alongside Indigenous leaders and other departments and agencies to address and prevent GBV against Indigenous Peoples.

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Driving change internationally

At home and abroad, Canada embraces its role as a world leader in promoting and advancing gender equality and women's rights. As part of our international commitments, WAGE has recently led Canada's reporting on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and completed a national progress report on gender equality for the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing+30).

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And the award goes to

October 18 is Persons Day in Canada, marking the day in 1929 when the historic decision to include women in the legal definition of “persons” was handed down by Canada’s highest court of appeal.

Each year, on this anniversary, the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case are presented. Celebrate and learn more about this year’s new recipients who have made outstanding contributions to the goal of equality for women and girls in Canada.

Did you know

More than 11 million people in Canada aged 15 and over have experienced some form of intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime—6.2 million women and 4.9 million men.  

Discover more facts about intimate partner violence

In case you missed it

Have ideas for a topic in a future newsletter

Share your thoughts with WAGE at FEGC.Intervenants-Stakeholders.WAGE@fegc-wage.gc.ca.

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