December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Ontario remembers the 14 female engineering students who were murdered at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal on December 6, 1989 by an act of gender-based violence. We also commemorate the missing and murdered Aboriginal women, the trans-women and each and every woman in Ontario and across the world whose lives have been harmed or lost to gender-based violence.In 1991, the Parliament of Canada declared December 6th to be the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

The day now represents a time to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society. It is also a day for communities and individuals to speak out against all forms of violence against women and its impact on victims and their families and friends.The Ontario government is helping to stop sexual violence and harassment with its Action Plan It’s Never Okay, and the introduction of legislation to help make workplaces, campuses and communities safer. In Ontario, candlelight vigils, memorial services, and other events are held throughout the province.

Find out what you can do to end violence against women.