Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign

Sunday, 25 November 2012 10:26

One in three Canadian women will experience sexual assault in their adult life. That's why for the next 16 days, various dates will acknowledge violence against women and encourage activism against gender violence. It starts today on International Day for the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence. Oxford's Domestic Assault Review Team Coordinator Linda Armstrong says this campaign started 21 years ago. "It originated from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991. Really the purpose is to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women because it's a human rights issue and really does affect everyone," said Armstrong. She says there are many examples of gender violence in Canada. "Take the massacre in Montreal in 1989 of the 14 young students who were murdered. It was a gender-based crime. When women can't walk out on the streets at night for fear of being attacked or raped, how can we not say that's a gender-based crime?" said Armstrong. Over 4,100 organizations in approximately 172 countries participate in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign. One in three Canadian women will experience sexual assault in their adult life. That's why for the next 16 days, various dates will acknowledge violence against women and encourage activism against gender violence. It starts today on International Day for the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence. Oxford's Domestic Assault Review Team Coordinator Linda Armstrong says this campaign started 21 years ago. "It originated from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991. Really the purpose is to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women because it's a human rights issue and really does affect everyone," said Armstrong. She says there are many examples of gender violence in Canada. "Take the massacre in Montreal in 1989 of the 14 young students who were murdered. It was a gender-based crime. When women can't walk out on the streets at night for fear of being attacked or raped, how can we not say that's a gender-based crime?" said Armstrong. Over 4,100 organizations in approximately 172 countries participate in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign.