Laurier participates in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign

Gender-based violence – committed against any person – is not okay.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is the use or abuse of power and control over someone else because of their gender identity, gender expression or perceived gender. Violence against women and girls is an all-too-common form of GBV, but it also has a disproportionate impact on LGBTQ2 and gender non-binary people.

On Thursday, Nov.29, take part in Wear Purple Day and show your commitment to ending gender-based violence. Encourage your friends, colleagues, teammates, and classmates to wear purple, take pictures and then show your support by posting your pictures online with the hashtag #consentisgolden.

Wear Purple Day at Wilfrid Laurier University is organized by Laurier’s Sexual Violence Education Action Group to create awareness for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign organized by the Center for Women's Global Leadership. In Canada, the Status of Women Canada supports the campaign at a national level.

The campaign runs from Nov. 26, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day. The 16-day campaign also includes the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women on Dec. 6.

The campaign theme is #MYActionsMatter, a call-to-action that asks everyone to take concrete steps to question, call out and speak up against acts of gender-based violence everywhere. A number of activities and events are planned across Laurier’s campuses throughout the 16-day campaign including:

• An Introduction to Male Allyship, Dec. 3, noon to 1:30 p.m., Peters Building, room 119, Waterloo campus
• Build Your Own Self-Care Kit
  • Waterloo campus: Dec. 6, 4-6 p.m., DAWB 1-101B
  • Brantford campus: Dec. 10, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Diversity and Equity Office
• Community Care Day and Info Fair, Dec. 6, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., RCW Lobby, Brantford campus

All events are free. Visit the university event calendar for dates and details.

Questions can be sent to Sarah Scanlon, Sexual Violence Response Coordinator at sscanlon@wlu.ca. Follow the campaign on social media by searching #consentisgolden.