National Day of Rememberance - 2 December 2016

Message from 

Valerie S. Kuehne, Ph.D.

Vice-President Academic and Provost

Every year since December 6, 1989, members of the university community have taken time on the last day of fall term classes to:

* acknowledge violence against women;

* honour all survivors, activists and those who support them; and

* affirm our commitment to resist and bring about an end to gender‐based violence.  

In earlier years the focus was on the massacre at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal in Montreal. More recently the lens has been widening to look at the issues of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada, violence against people who openly challenge the gender binary, against sex trade workers, violence that occurs on campus, and violence in the forms of racism and poverty.   This year the Equity and Human Rights Office has worked with members of the University Community to plan an event that will take place in the Michele Pujol Room (Student Union Building) on Friday, December 2, 2016 between 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (classes are cancelled from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.).   The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women acknowledges impacts that gender‐based violence has had on the multiple and intersecting communities that exist within Canada. Through a diverse line‐up of speakers that work to address violence, this event aims to represent and reflect the wide range of voices, experiences, and intersections present on our campus.   There will be an opportunity to participate in creative activities for those who wish to do so as we engage our imaginations and envision UVic free from all forms of violence. Please contact EQHR (Bette Cameron at 250‐721‐8786 or bcameron@uvic.ca, or Amy Loggin at 250‐721‐8488 or aloggin@uvic.ca) by Monday, November 28, 2016 if you have accommodation needs.   All members of the university, faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend this event and are welcome to join and leave the gathering as their schedule permits. The broader community is also welcome.