College-wide procession in honour of National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women
Posted on Tuesday, December 6th, 2022
Dec. 6 marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women — on this day in 1989, 14 young women were horrifically murdered at Polytechnique Montréal in an act of gendered violence.
Algonquin College President and CEO, Claude Brulé, participates in the mural art exercise.
Employees and learners gathered today in the Student Commons (Building E) to honour these women and raise awareness about gender-based violence by participating in a collective art mural and ceremony.
“The mural is an opportunity for the Algonquin College community to come together and contribute to important conversations about ending gendered violence,” said Sarah Crawford, Manager, Sexual Violence, Harm Reduction and Wellness.
According to the Canadian Women’s Foundation, more than four in ten women have experienced some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. And approximately 4.7 million women, 30 per cent of all women 15 years of age and older, report that they have experienced sexual assault at least once since the age of 15.
Procession prepares to begin their College-wide march.
“The mural includes 14 roses to honour the 14 women who were murdered at Polytechnique Montréal, but also honours all of the women who’ve been affected by gendered violence,” said Crawford. “The mural will be hung in The Beacon: Health and Wellness Peer Support Space and serve as an important reminder about the continued fight to eliminate gender-based violence.”
Resources and information about ending gendered violence were provided, including take away postcards with details about the White Ribbon Campaign, the world’s largest movement of men and boys working to promote gender equity, healthy relationships, and a new vision of masculinity. White ribbons were available for learners and employees and people were encouraged to fill out a postcard with how they plan to commit to ending gendered violence. The commitments are to be revisited on International Women’s Day, March 8.
A commemorative display was set up that included photos of each of the women who were murdered at Polytechnique Montréal. Participants took part in a smudging ceremony which signaled the start of a College-wide procession with Indigenous drumming and song in which participants marched through the College holding the photos of each of the women to raise awareness and recognition.
Flags at Algonquin College will also be lowered to half-mast today to remember all those affected by gendered violence and encourage a world free of violence and oppression.
If you or someone you know has been affected by gender-based violence, get help at Algonquin College’s Project Lighthouse: https://www.algonquincollege.com/projectlighthouse/get-help/
Project Lighthouse aims to shine a light on the topic of sexual violence and help you navigate healthy sexual relationships. Through compassion, education, and awareness, this initiative aims to reduce sexual violence at Algonquin College and support survivors of sexual violence.