WATERLOO REGION – The National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence against Women began in 1991 after an incident in 1989 when a lone gunman killed 14 women at the Polytechnique Montréal. The YW Kitchener-Waterloo and Feminist Shift invite you to gather to remember 14 women who lost their lives that day and every woman who lost her life to gender-based violence since then.
In Canada, every six days, a woman is murdered by her intimate partner, and the statistic is increasing; according to the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability, 88 women and girls were killed in Canada in the first six months of 2022. Statistics show Waterloo Region as one of the lowest-ranking Canadian cities safe for women.
“Research (Project Willow) reports that 92% of women experiencing homelessness also experience gender-based violence at least twice a week. So, as we remember the fourteen murdered women from December 6, 1989, we are acknowledging, honouring and gathering to demonstrate solidarity with present-day survivors of gender-based violence in our community, and those who have lost their lives.” Jennifer Gordon, Director of Advocacy YW Kitchener- Waterloo.
The December 6 vigil will include a moment of silence and red rose ceremony, naming the women murdered on December 6, 1989, which inspired this National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. This is followed by a white rose commitment symbolizing a future of change. Flowers are generously donated by Julia Flowers on Frederick Street.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a message of hope or memory to write on stones that will live in our flower gardens at the YW Emergency Shelter, an extension to those in our community still living with gender-based violence.
For More Information:
Jennifer Gordon
Director of Advocacy, YW KW
Jennifer.gordon@ywkw.ca