National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

December 6
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Please view this video message from the Honourable Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.



Nova Scotia vigils and events for 2007

Background about the Day

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on  Violence Against Women marks the tragic deaths of fourteen women murdered at l'École Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989.  2004 marks the fifteenth anniversary of this terrible event. The day is observed across the country with vigils, memorials, and other ceremonies.  Women from around the world, will mark the period known as 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, from November 25 to December 10.

On December 3, 2002, in conjunction with December 6 observances, Status of Women Canada released Assessing Violence Against Women: A Statistical Profile

In 1998, Canada's  Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women  released the Iqaluit Declaration, a renewal of their governments' commitment to ending violence against women.
In July 2007 Status of Women Ministers committed to advancing the lives of aboriginal women and girls and unanimously confirmed their support for the 2007 Iqaluit Declaration, which states, "Recognizing the urgent need to improve the lives of Aboriginal women and girls, the federal, provincial and territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women come together in a declaration of their commitment to improve the social, economic and cultural well-being of Inuit, Métis and First Nations women, both on and off reserve, in Canada." 


Since 1991, 84* women have been murdered in Nova Scotia.  These 84 women, in our province - in our very own communities - represent only a small fraction of the many women who live with violence and threats every day.

*Note: Data available up to 2006. Number  (includes 2 infant girls and 1 toddler)  is based on research of  newspaper reports from 1989 to the present and it is confirmed by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Homicide Survey.

See statistical fact sheet on Woman Abuse (including  some Nova Scotia statistics)

Nova Scotians may show their support of ending violence against women by wearing a purple ribbon as well as attending the events planned around the province.
* Click on the heading at the top of this page (next to the candle) to learn about observances held in your communities.

If you know of an event not listed on our website, please contact us and we will add it to the list.
E-mail: women@gov.ns.ca
Fax: (902) 424-0573


Additional Violence Prevention Links on NS Status of Women site

For more events visit our Events site