December 6th, 2014, National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique murders, when fourteen young women lost their lives. Every year, we take this day to reflect on the prevalence of violence against women in our society, and to commit to taking concrete action in order to end violence against women and girls.

In addition to highlighting the 25th anniversary of these murders, the Canadian Labour Congress is encouraging affiliates, federations of labour and labour councils to join us in affirming the labour movement’s commitment to ending violence against women by profiling the results of our Domestic Violence in the Workplace survey and by reinforcing calls for a National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and a National Action Plan on Violence against Women.

Further details on our plans to release the results of our groundbreaking national survey on the impact of domestic violence on workers and workplaces will be forthcoming. With over 7000 responses, we are confident the survey results will help us win real results at the bargaining table and in legislatures.

Today, we are encouraging you to support the YWCA’s Rose Campaign as part of your December 6 activities this year, and in particular, to participate in their Light the Night Against Violence action on December 6. On this night, they are encouraging organizations and communities to light buildings, monuments and landmarks to help support the call for an end to violence against women. So far, the campaign has secured the lighting of the CN Tower in Toronto and the Langevin Bridge in Calgary in red, the Rose campaign colour. Ottawa’s Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW) plans to light up its city in purple. Any light against violence is welcome.

The CLC will be lighting our national headquarters in Ottawa, and we challenge affiliates, federations of labour, labour councils and local unions to do the same. We also encourage you to work with your local YWCA and allies in the women’s and anti-violence movements to light up any local landmarks. If you are participating, please let our Women’s and Human Rights Department know at rcollins@clc-ctc.ca. Post pictures of your offices using the hashtag #shinethelight

Further details about the Rose Campaign and order forms for their postcards, buttons and other material are available on the website by clicking here.

We would also like to let you know about a youth-oriented social media campaign by our partners the Coalition for Gun Control, called Generation Action. Young people can use the hashtag #DemandControl to send out messages for better gun control and to end violence against women and girls.Please encourage your members to visit http://www.generation-action.com/ to upload pictures or messages.

For more information on the CLC’s plans for December 6, the National Survey on the Impact of Domestic Violence at Work, or to register your participation in the Light the Night challenge, please contact Rashida Collins at rcollins@clc-ctc.ca.

In Solidarity,

Hassan Yussuff

President

https://iamaw16.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/WHR-MEMO-Dec-6-Violence-Against-Women-EN.pdf