12 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

6th of December Commemoration 

 National Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

MONTREAL, Dec. 6, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - The 12 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Committee invites the media to its commemorative event, being held from 12PM to 12:45PM, at Cabot Square (near Atwater station). During the event, the Committee will honour the memory of the 14 victims of the Polytechnique tragedy, of missing and murdered Indigenous women, and of all women who have been or are still victims of violence. The commemoration will serve as a moment to remember these women and to highlight the urgency of acting against gender-based violence.

Even in 2018, it is important to recognize the work that needs to be done to eliminate all forms of violence and oppression against women, particularly violence aimed at women who experience multiple forms of discrimination and violence such as sexism, racism, ableism, colonialism, transphobia and heterosexism.

This year, the 12 Days of Activism Committee hopes that the conversation about missing and murdered Indigenous women will take centre stage once again. This December 6^th, the Committee decided to meet at Cabot Square since it is a symbolic gathering place for many Indigenous communities. The Committee seeks to emphasize that the gentrification of Cabot Square is directly linked to homeless Indigenous women's increased risk of being exposed to violence.

The following community leaders will be present at the event : Gabrielle Bouchard, president of the Fédération des femmes du Québec, Viviane Michel, president of Quebec Native Women, Nakuset, director of the Native Women's Shelter of Montréal, and other speakers such as Marie-Pier Boisvert (Conseil québécois LGBT), Marlihan Lopez (Regroupement québécois des centres d'aide et de lutte contre les agressions à caractère sexuel - RQCALACS), Dayna Danger (Center for Gender Advocacy) and Hanane Khales (DAWN Canada).

During the ceremony, 14 white roses will be laid next to 14 white ribbons, to represent each of the 14 Polytechnique victims, and a red dress will hang beside the white ribbons in memory of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

The 12 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Committee is composed of Action des femmes handicapées de Montréal, the Centre de documentation sur l'éducation des adultes et la condition féminine (CDÉACF), the Conseil Québécois LGBT, DAWN/Réseau d'action des femmes handicapées du Canada, the Fédération des femmes du Québec, the Fédération des maisons d'hébergement pour femmes, Fondation Paroles de femmes, LaVOIEdesfemmes, the Maison des femmes Sourdes de Montréal, the Native Women's Shelter of Montreal, and the Regroupement québécois des centres d'aide et de lutte contre les agressions à caractère sexuel (RQCALACS).

The 12 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign is funded by the Secrétariat à la Condition féminine, the Fédération des femmes du Québec, and the Regroupement québécois des centres d'aide et de lutte contre les agressions à caractère sexuel (RQCALACS).

SOURCE Fédération des femmes du Québec

Pauline Ou-halima, [email protected], Bureau : 514-876-0166 poste 1502, Cell : 514-717-4847