December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, a time to remember the lives lost and acknowledge the ongoing impact of gender-based violence. As we reflect, we also reaffirm our collective responsibility to stand with survivors, raise awareness, and confront the deep-rooted norms that sustain violence and hate.
York University will hold a memorial ceremony in honour of the 14 women killed at Polytechnique Montréal on December 6, 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.
The event will take place at the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence on December 6, 2024, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Community members at Glendon and Markham Campuses are encouraged to gather for the livestream at their respective locations: the Ballroom in Glendon Manor and room MK2050 at Markham. The memorial ceremony, along with other events planned for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, aims to honour those who have been lost and inspire the community to take meaningful action and support those in need.
In solidarity, please consider wearing a white ribbon as a symbol of your commitment to ending gender-based violence. Ribbons are available at the following locations:
- Glendon: Student Success Centre (YH B108) and the GL Zone Kiosk at the Centre of Excellence
- Keele: Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education
- Markham: Welcome desk (first floor) and Student Services reception (room 2005)
- As a gesture of respect and remembrance, flags across campus will be lowered to half-mast.
- Download the National Day of Remembrance Zoom background.
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women Memorial
Participate in York University’s annual memorial ceremony on Dec. 6 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence. Community members at Glendon and Markham Campuses are encouraged to gather for the livestream at their respective locations.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence
The Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education and partners are hosting a series of events for York community members in recognition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.
Join York in remembering on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
Read the statement from York President & Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton; Vice-President Equity, People & Culture Laina Bay-Cheng; and Lassonde School of Engineering Dean Jane Goodyer. Voir la version française.
Content warning: We recognize that each one of us has personal histories and struggles. As such, please note that community events and the memorial ceremony will mention different forms of sexual violence including sexual assault, sexual harassment and murder. Please prioritize your health and well-being and take the space that you need for each event. For more resources and supports, community members can contact the Centre for Sexual Violence Response Support & Education (thecentre@yorku.ca).
York University Research
Learn more about York University’s leading research in women and girls’ health & well-being
- Office of Women's Health Research Chair in Mental Health
- 2020 Syndemic: Convergence of COVID-19, gender-based violence, and racism pandemics
- Report COVID19 Pandemic guidelines for mental health support of racialized women at risk of GBV [PDF]
- Policy Brief COVID19 Pandemic guidelines [PDF]
- Information Brief GBV and COVID19 pandemic [PDF]
- Infographic GBV during COVID-19 [PDF]
- Toolkit GBV during COVID-19 [PDF]
- Information Sheet 14: Gender-based violence and refugee youth: Towards trauma-informed practices
- Information Sheet 15: Service providers' perspectives on trauma-informed care for refugee youth with gender-based violence experiences
Support Resources
The Centre for Sexual Violence Response Support and Education
Well-being at York University