December 6th Vigil

December 6 marks the National Day of Action and Remembrance on Violence Against Women. The day commemorates the brutal massacre that occurred almost twenty years ago at an engineering school in Montreal. On December 6th, 1989, 14 young women were brutally murdered at the hands of a single male gunman. Since this horrific attack, these women have come to represent symbols of the inequality faced by women every day, and to make a connection between a single event and the widespread reality of male violence towards women.

Today, a vigil is held on the anniversary of this massacre to both honor and mourn the loss of these women and to remember all women whose lives have been touched by violence. The day also serves as an opportunity to raise awareness on the issues of injustice towards women and woman abuse, and to advocate for change. Remaining silent about these issues only serves to perpetuate the cycle of violence, something that simply is not an option. December 6th is a day for female empowerment and for taking action to end violence.

We each have a responsibility to bring an end to female victimization and act as instruments for change. December 6th encourages us all to reflect upon what we can do, both individually and collectively, to assist in the healing of victims of gender-based violence and build a safer community for all women. Guelph-Wellington Women In Crisis encourages all women to unite against violence and support one another in bringing about change.

Together, we can and will make a difference.