Honouring National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Across Canada, December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, which provides an opportunity to commemorate and honour the 14 women who were killed in an act of violent misogyny at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal on December 6, 1989. It also presents an opportunity to remember people who continue to die as a result of gender-based violence, as well as those who live with violence today.

All members of the U of A community are invited to join the following events to honour these 14 women, to remember the lives of all of those who have died as a result of gender-based violence and to support those who continue to live in violence:

• Augustana Campus has a memorial display (including candles, printed information, 14 white roses and white ribbons that are available for people to pick up and wear) at the Information Desk in the Forum as well as light post banners placed between the Lougheed Centre and Founders' Hall. 
• The U of A Sexual Assault Centre will have an information display in SUB (across from the pharmacy) on December 4 and 5. They invite you to stop by to learn about available services and pick up important resources.
• On Friday, December 5, Engineering will hold an official moment of silence at 11 a.m. at the commemorative plaque near the ETLC Solarium, led by Vice Dean Ivan Fair. Everyone is welcome to attend. White ribbons will be available in ETLC at the plaque and Donadeo-ICE 9 at the Dean's reception desk.
• On Friday, December 5, Campus Saint-Jean, the Alberta Women's Coalition and the Association des Universitaires de la Faculté Saint-Jean are jointly organizing a commemoration ceremon which will take place at 12 p.m. in the Dorval Room of the Lacerte Pavilion, at the foot of Patrick Jacob's statue Trinity, a work of art paying tribute to the victims.

You can also honour those impacted by wearing a white ribbon and participating in an initiative through the United Nations' 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

Learn more about U of A's Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response and the Options Navigation Network.

The University of Alberta is committed to the safety, health and well-being of our faculty, staff and students. Every day, we advance this commitment to safety through the Culture of Care. 

We recognize that reflecting on this subject may be difficult and could bring up feelings of sensitivity or anxiety. Please remember that support is available. Counseling services are offered to faculty and staff through the university’s Employee and Family Assistance Program and to students through undergraduate student service providers and the Graduate Student Assistance Program.