Flags at all Conestoga campuses will be flown at half-mast today in recognition of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The national observance was established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada to mark the anniversary of the murders of 14 young women at Polytechnique Montréal (December 6, 1989).
As well as commemorating the young women whose lives ended in an act of gender-based violence that shocked the nation, December 6 is also an opportunity to consider the women and girls for whom violence is a daily reality, and to remember those who have died as a result of gender-based violence.
December 6 falls within the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. In collaboration with the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region, the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, Conestoga is participating in a new initiative that runs until December 10. The campaign invites messages of support using the hashtag #ConsentMatters.
Members of the college community seeking help and resources are invited to contact Conestoga's Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention & Support Office at sgbv@conestogac.on.ca, or 519-748-5220 ext. 3079.