Winnipeg Regional Women’s Committee – 16 Days of Action Activity Calendar

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. 

A world without violence is possible!
This year the WRWC has created a 16 day calendar and is asking for members to participate where they can to help end violence against women and girls.

25 Nov – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

The Global 16 Days Campaign, was started by activists at the inauguration of the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
In support of this civil society initiative, the United Nations Secretary-General launched in 2008 the campaign UNITE by 2030 to End Violence against Women, which runs parallel to the 16 Days of Activism. 
Every year, the UNITE Campaign focuses on a specific theme and this year’s is “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls”.The campaign calls on citizens to show how much they care about ending violence against women and girls by sharing the actions they are taking to create a world free from violence towards women. This year’s campaign also calls on governments worldwide to share how they are investing in gender-based violence prevention. 
Read the United Nations UNITE concept note.
unite_concept_note_english.pdf (unwomen.org)
UNITE to End Violence against Women Campaign | UN Women – Headquarters

26 Nov – Join the “PSAC Winnipeg Regional Women’s Committee” Facebook group to learn more about the 16 Days of Activism campaign and the WRWC events. https://www.facebook.com/groups/136667321850386/

27 Nov – Facts and figures: Ending violence against women 
-More than 5 women or girls are killed every hour by someone in their family
-In 2021, nearly 1 in 5 women aged 20-24 were married before turning 18
-One in three women have been subjected to violence at least once in their lifetime
Facts and figures: Ending violence against women  | UN Women – Headquarters

28 Nov – Participate in a Virtual Day of Action – Show your Union support in the workplace (buttons, red dress pins, union wear). Go to PSAC Member Login to update your information and self-identify.
Log in | Public Service Alliance of Canada (psacunion.ca)

29 Nov – RSVP to the virtual PSAC WRWC meeting for Dec 11
Contact Winnipeg Regional Office (204) 947-1601 if you have not received an email to register.
Sign up to receive PSAC emails and notices of events.
Women’s Committee Winnipeg Meeting Minutes – PSAC Prairies

29 Nov – # No Excuse Campaign
Join the global movement with the #NoExcuse campaign calling for urgent investments to prevent violence against women and girls. Check out the campaign social media package and join the initiative! #16DaysofActivism 2023 #NoExcuse
#16Days of Activism 2023: #NoExcuse | Trello

30 Nov – Visit knowpoverty.ca
Find out more, show your support, and get involved “kNOw Poverty” Make it History. End poverty in Manitoba.
Make Poverty History Manitoba – kNOw Poverty, Make it History (makepovertyhistorymb.com)

01 Dec – WRWC Winter Wear Drive
WRWC donation drive for new or gently used winter wear deadline for collections is 15 Dec to Nicole Papineau WRWC Chair.  Donations go to West Central Women’s Resource Centre. Accepting – Winter Jackets, Toques, Hats, Mitts, Gloves, Winter Boots. Also NEW Underwear, warm Socks.
Home – West Central Women’s Resource Centre (wcwrc.ca)

02 Dec – Do you have a music playlist?  Share some music links to empower women to our “PSAC Winnipeg Regional Women’s Committee” Facebook group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/136667321850386/

03 Dec – There can be no human rights if half the world’s population continues to be held back, discriminated against, ignored, disempowered, marginalized, and left behind.

#Standup4humanrights #EndGenderDiscrimination
Social media | Stand up for human rights | UN Human Rights Office (standup4humanrights.org)

04 Dec – Listen to a podcast from Nora Loreto – Take Back the Fight
What is modern feminism and how has the digital age changed it? In this limited-series podcast, Nora Loreto will take you through feminism: from debates to campaigns, from white feminism to co-optation, from Feminist Justin Trudeau to feminist civil disobedience, and everything in between.
Take Back the Fight – Fernwood Publishing

05 Dec – WRWC Christmas Hamper Drive
WRWC donation drive collecting items such as toys, adult gifts, food hamper donated to North Point Douglas Women’s Centre.
NPDWC – North Point Douglas Women’s Centre

06 Dec – National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women
It has been over 30 years since the murder of 14 young women at Polytechnique Montréal (December 6, 1989). This act of violent misogyny shook our country and led Parliament to designate December 6 as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.  On December 6, we remember:

• 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
• Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz

As we mourn their loss and remember their lives, we reaffirm our commitment to fight the hatred that led to this tragedy, and the misogyny that still exists today. In Canada and around the world, women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals face unacceptable violence and discrimination. 

07 Dec – UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls
During this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we are asking you to show us how much you care. Tell us how you are taking action.  Are you using your creativity to promote a message of zero tolerance to violence? Do you use your time to engage with grassroots organizations working for a world where women and men have equal rights? Or are you perhaps questioning gender stereotypes that contribute to a culture of violence against women in online and offline conversations?

We call on governments worldwide: Invest in prevention to eradicate violence against women and girls.
Every effort invested in preventing violence against women is a step towards a safer, more equal and prosperous world. Violence costs us all. Join us in demanding investments and actions to end it.
UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls | UN Women – Headquarters

08 Dec – Do you have a good book to read? Share your titles to empower women to our “PSAC Winnipeg Regional Women’s Committee” Facebook group.
Check out Priya Parker – The Art of Gathering.  “Why do we gather?  We gather to solve problems we can’t solve on our own.  We gather to celebrate, to mourne, to mark transitions.  We gather to make decisions.  We gather because we need one another.  We gather to show strength.  We gather to honour and acknowledge.  We gather to build companies and schools and neighbourhoods.  We gather to welcome, and we gather to say goodbye.”
https://www.facebook.com/groups/136667321850386/

09 Dec – Donate any gently used items to a non-profit thrift store.
Places that accept clothing and household goods to support community women include:

Prairie Crocus Thrift shop (919 McLeod Avenue) Thrive Community Support Circle (555 Spence) The Up Shoppe (382 Selkirk Ave) Acorn Family Place (222 Furby)

Twice Over Thrift Store – Selkirk Manitoba

10 Dec – Make a commitment to Human Rights.
10 December 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of one of the world’s most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. The Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 and sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.  

This year’s Human Rights Day slogan is 2023 Theme: Freedom, Equality and Justice for All
Pick and share your favorite UDHR articles to your Facebook page or with others. Tweet, Instagram or YouTube your action using the hashtag #Standup4humanrights.
Commit for Human Rights (standup4humanrights.org)
Human Rights Day | United Nations

11 Dec – WRWC virtual meeting at 7pm