December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

The following message was also issued by email to faculty, staff, and students on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. 

Dear Members of the UPEI Community, 

On December 6, the University of Prince Edward Island will recognize the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, which was created in response to the murder of 14 women at the École Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989: Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte, and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz.  

Known as the Montreal Massacre, this brutal and senseless act of misogyny exposed Canadians to the horrific ways in which hate can be manifested; it deeply affected the entire post-secondary education sector. As we approach December 6 more than 30 years after the murders at École Polytechnique, we also remember the 10 women murdered on PEI since 1989 by someone who knew them and the tragic number of murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls in Canada. We must also recognize that gendered and sexual violence is still very much present in our communities and on university campuses around the world and across Canada, as evidenced by the attack at the University of Waterloo earlier this year. 

Gender-based violence (GBV) can take many forms and is deeply rooted in inequalities around sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or perceived gender. It continues to be one of the most notable human rights violations in society. To show support for ending GBV, everyone is encouraged to wear purple and purple ribbons during the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, November 25–December 10. Also called the “Purple Ribbon Campaign” on PEI, the world-wide crusade includes the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6, and International Human Rights Day on December 10.  

While we all must continue to work to end GBV, the UPEI community also finds itself at an important time in our history as we come together to respond to the recommendations in the University of Prince Edward Island Review. One way to contribute to a culture of inclusivity and safety at UPEI is to engage in events and educational activities that are happening on PEI during the Purple Ribbon Campaign and on December 6. 

• The UPEI Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering is hosting a candlelight vigil on Wednesday, December 6, at 10:00 am, at the Academic Staircase. A commemorative display will also be set up near the entrance all day for those who wish to write messages of reflection and hope. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided following the ceremony. All are welcome.
   
• The Advisory Council on the Status of Women will host its annual Montreal Massacre Memorial Service and Candle Lighting for Victims of Violence—which honours the lives of women who have been lost to violence and missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls—with an in-person event for the general public at Memorial Hall, Confederation Centre of the Arts, Charlottetown, on Wednesday, December 6, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm. 
   
• I encourage faculty, staff, and students who haven’t already done so to take UPEI’s Preventing Sexualized Violence course that is available on Moodle.  

UPEI will observe the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6 by lowering the flags in front of Kelley Memorial Building to half-mast. 

Ending gender-based violence is a tremendous challenge but one that we must all help to address by taking individual and collective preventative action. At the University of Prince Edward Island, we need to continue to take strides in expanding the resources in our Sexual Violence, Prevention, and Response Office (SVPRO); Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Office; Student Affairs; Human Resources; and Security Services. 

Thank you to those helping to make UPEI a safer and more inclusive community. 

Regards, 

Greg 

GREG KEEFE, DVM, MSc, MBA (he/him)
President and Vice-Chancellor (Interim)