Day 16:

Today is “Human Rights Day.” This date was chosen to “honor the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the first major achievements of the new United Nations.”  We also recognize the rights of women and girls to live free from violence.

For more information:
http://www.un.org/en/events/humanrightsday/ http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ABOUTUS/Pages/HumanRightsDay.aspx

Take Action:

Go to the “Amnesty International” site at http://www.writeathon.ca/?page_id=14 and attend a “Write for Rights” event near you (see the web site for more details) and write letters for the rights of women and girls. Also, consider organizing your own, “Write for Rights” event next year to advocate for the rights of women and girls as well.
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Together we can make a difference!

Day 15:

Did you know that the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is approaching on Dec 17th? 

The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers began in 2003 as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the Green River Killer in Seattle, Washington, who murdered at least 71 women, most of whom were sex workers from 1982 to 1998.

During the week of December 17th sex worker rights organizations around the world stage actions and vigils to promote empowerment, calls for chance, and to raise awareness about violence that is commonly committed against sex workers, the stigma and discrimination that allows violence against sex workers to occur with impunity, and the barriers faced when attempting to report violence.

(Source: http://www.december17.org/)

Take Action:

Spread the word that next week on Friday, Dec 16th, the Peel Sex Workers, Advocates, and Allies Network (PSWAAN) is hosting an inaugural event to honor the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers in the Region of Peel.  Attend the event and show your support.

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-day-to-end-violence-against-sex-workers-workshop-series-tickets-29019331602
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Day 14:

It has been said that “music is what feelings sound like.” Let’s feel inspired today by thinking about songs that promote positive images of women and girls. Some examples of songs include: “Brave” by Sara Bareilles, “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten, “Listen” by Beyonce, “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera, “Brand New Me” by Alicia Keys, “Greatest Love of All” by Whitney Houston, “R.E.S.P.E.C.T” by Aretha Franklin, and “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child.

Take Action:
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Think of some songs that promote positive images of women and girls and share them with, discuss them with, and/or play them for others.

Day 13:

Women and girls are often negatively misrepresented in the media. Additionally, it is not uncommon for women leaders to be trivialized and misrepresented in the media as well. The 2011 documentary, “Miss Representation” by Jennifer Siebel Newsom discusses this topic in great length.

Take Action:
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Watch “Miss Representation.” You can get it at your local library. Meanwhile, think of a positive female role model/leader and why you admire her. Share your thoughts with friends, family and others by word of mouth, texting, blogging, and Twitter or Facebook to promote positive images of women.  

Day 12:

The École Polytechnique Massacre took place on December 6th, 1989 in Montreal, Quebec, where a lone gunman specifically targeted women. Fourteen women were killed and ten were injured after this act of violence. Today we remember these murdered women and honour the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Take Action:
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Attend PCAWA’s Annual Vigil and Shoe Memorial event to remember all women who lives have been lost to gender-based violence and to honour the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women across Canada.  The Vigil, which includes survivors speaks and live performances, takes place today from 5-6pm at Mississauga Civic Centre in the Great Hall (300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga). The Shoe Memorial will be displayed in the Great Hall at Mississauga Civic Centre from 10 am – 6 pm.  

Day 11:
 
Only a third of Canadians understand what consent means.
A 2015 survey by the Canadian Women’s Foundation found that two thirds of respondents were not able to identify that consent must be both positive
(e.g. saying yes, initiating and/or enjoying sexual activity) and ongoing (e.g. continues during the sexual activity). 
 
(Source: http://canadianwomen.org/blog/10-reasons-violence-still-a-problem)

Take Action:
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Educate people about enthusiastic consent.  Teach children that they have rights to their own body, how to set personal boundaries and also how to recognize and respect other people’s wishes and boundaries. 
http://www.vawlearningnetwork.ca/she-really-saying-yes-infographic-consent
http://www.yesmeansyes.com/

Day 10:

Want to create better service provision of violence against women services in Peel and increase the quality of access and use of social services for women who have experienced violence in Peel?

Take Action:

Join PCAWA’s Systems Integration Workgroup and help us develop an Enhanced Gender-Based Violence Against Women Protocol that will build Peel’s Violence Against Women stakeholders’ capacity to collaborate and create a seamless experience of services for survivors of violence.  You can also support the work with input and signing the Protocol.

For more information, contact Paula Lam, PCAWA Coordinator, at 905-823-3441 or pcawa@pcawa.org  

Day 9:
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The Center for Women’s Global Leadership announced that the theme of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign is “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Make Education Safe for All”. This theme recognizes that structural discrimination and inequality is perpetuated in a cycle of violence that does not end even when girls and young women are in the act of gaining an education. 
 
Take Action:
 
Talk about the human right to education and a quality education that promotes gender equality with friends, family and children.  Some questions to ask yourself and others:
 
The Human Right to Education

• How is the right to education relevant to your context?
• How does GBV hinder the right to education locally and nationally?
• On whose behalf is safe and equal access to education available and who is left out?
• What is the impact and who is impacted by current policies and practices in relation to education?
• What types of violence do women and girls, people who are disabled, migrants, indigenous, or those who identify or are perceived to identify with a gender or sexuality different from the status quo in your community face? Are there any policies or laws in place to protect individuals from these forms of violence and discrimination with respect to the right to education?
• Who is (are) the violator(s) to the right to equal and non-discriminatory, safe and secure education?

 
(Source: http://16dayscwgl.rutgers.edu/2016/2016-theme-announcement-take-action-kit)

Day 8:
 
Today is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.  December 2, 1949 marks the date of the adoption, by the General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (resolution 317(IV)).
 
This day is dedicated to eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, child labour, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.
 
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are currently an estimated 21 million forced labour victims worldwide, creating US$ 150 billion in illegal profits in the private economy each year.
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(Source: http://www.un.org/en/events/slaveryabolitionday/)
 
Take Action:
 
Sign up to support the 50 for Freedom campaign, which aims to end modern slavery and persuade at least 50 countries to ratify the Forced Labour Protocol by 2018.  ​Find out more about what PCAWA members and supporters (such as Trillium Health Partners - Chantel’s Place, the Peel Regional Police, and The Journey Neighbourhood Centre) are doing to end Human Trafficking in Peel.

Day 7:
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Today is “World AIDS Day.” World AIDS Day is held on the 1st of December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day, held for the first time in 1988.

(Source: https://www.worldaidsday.org/)
 
Take Action:

Join PCAWA member Peel HIV/AIDS Network (PHAN) for their World AIDS Day event from 5:30-8pm at Community Door Brampton (601-7700 Hurontario St.) https://www.phan.ca/join-us-for-world-aids-day-2016/. Support PCAWA community partner Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention (ASAAP).  Their World AIDS Day event is sold out, but you can still support them in other ways at http://asaap.ca/