Beginning next week, Brock University will join communities around the world to commemorate the lives lost to gender-based violence and celebrate the resilience of survivors.
The 16 Days of Activism, which runs from Monday, Nov. 25 to Tuesday, Dec. 10, advocates for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. The campaign also recognizes how multiple forms of discrimination intersect and calls for the end of violence against all people, regardless of their identities.
Brock’s Office of Human Rights and Equity’s (HRE) Gender and Sexual Violence team will work with partners across the University and Niagara region to deliver programming during the campaign, the start and end dates of which correspond with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and World Human Rights Day, respectively.
“It’s about bringing folks together to engage in critical conversations that challenge the enduring norms that allow gender-based violence to continue to cause harm in our society and to create safer and more inclusive communities for everyone,” said Katie Keays, HRE’s Manager of Gender and Sexual Violence Intake.
Under the theme of “Come together, Act Now,” the campaign begins with two cupcake decorating workshops and a panel discussion on activism and allies, which runs from noon to 2 p.m. in the Scotiabank Atrium.
The discussion will focus on violence against racialized and Indigenous women and will feature Hijin Park, Director of the Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies; Robyn Bourgeois, Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement; and Nikki Dube from the Ontario Native Women’s Association.
A three-part virtual workshop series will also run throughout the campaign, exploring how masculinity and restorative justice relate to gendered and sexual violence as well as the perspectives of Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) on violence against women and girls.
A collection of written and visual art from staff, students and faculty who identify as survivors will be celebrated at Brock’s Faith and Life Centre from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29.
“The Art of Survival event speaks to the resilience of survivors because these 16 days are not only about coming together to talk about the harm that’s committed in our societies, but also meant to create community and to empower, support and lean on one another,” said Keays.
The Brock community is invited to observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which takes place annually on Dec. 3, with an event on Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Pond Inlet.
An event commemorating the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on Friday, Dec. 6 will take place at the Faith and Life Centre from 12:10 to 1 p.m. The day marks the anniversary of the tragic 1989 shooting at Montreal’s École Polytechnique (now called Polytechnique Montreal). An evening event will also take place in partnership with the Canadian Federation of University Women.
An Anti-ableism Fair and Know Your Rights and Resources event and other programming will also take place during the final week of the campaign, with more information to be confirmed.
For more information on the 16 Days of Activism and a full list of events, visit the HRE website or ExperienceBU.
