National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women: A Call to End the Epidemic of Intimate Partner Violence
Every year on December 6, Canadians pause to remember the 14 young women who were murdered at Montréal’s École Polytechnique in 1989, targeted simply because they were women. The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is both a moment of mourning and a call to action, a reminder that gender-based violence continues to devastate lives, families, and communities across our country.
Say Their Names
Annie Turcotte, 20 years of age
Sonia Pelletier, 28 years of age
Anne-Marie Edward
Barbara Daigneault, 22 years of age
Annie St-Arneault, 23 years of age
Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, 31 years of age
Geneviève Bergeron, 21 years of age
Hélène Colgan, 23 years of age
Nathalie Croteau, 23 years of age
Michèle Richard, 21 years of age
Maud Haviernick, 29 years of age
Maryse Leclair, 23 years of age
Maryse Laganière, 25 years of age
Anne-Marie Lemay, 22 years of age
We remember the women whose lives were taken on that tragic day, and we must also acknowledge the ongoing epidemic of intimate partner violence (IPV) and gender-based violence in Canada.
In Canada, every 48 hours a woman or girl is violently killed.
These are not isolated incidents. They are symptoms of deep-rooted inequality, misogyny, and societal tolerance for violence against women and gender-diverse people.
Connecting to the 16 Days of Activism
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women falls within the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from November 25 (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day).
This global campaign calls on individuals, organizations, and governments to take concrete steps to end gender-based violence in all its forms.
During these 16 days, we reflect, advocate, and mobilize, but most importantly, we commit to sustained action throughout the year. December 6 is a cornerstone of this movement in Canada, grounding our activism in remembrance and reaffirming our collective responsibility to build safer communities.
Intimate Partner Violence is an Epidemic: A Call to Action
Intimate partner violence is not a private matter; it is a public health emergency and a human rights violation. Survivors face not only physical harm but also lasting emotional, psychological, and economic impacts. The ripple effects touch children, families, workplaces, and communities.
Ending IPV requires a coordinated, intersectional approach, one that includes education, policy reform, survivor-centred services, and cultural change that challenges the normalization of abuse and control.
What You Can Do
- Learn and share: Interact with Luke’s Place 16 Days of Activism Campaign called: Intimate Partner Violence is an Epidemic: A Call to Action
- Support survivors: Listen without judgment, believe them, and connect them to local support services. Watch Luke’s Place pre-recorded educational webinar series, coming this December — created to help community members understand what intimate partner violence (IPV) is, how it intersects with family law, and explore helpful resources combined in a practical toolkit.
- Reflect and act: On December 6, take a moment of silence, then commit to an action that will make your community safer for women and gender-diverse people.
A Collective Commitment to Change
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women reminds us that remembrance must be paired with resolve. Each of us has a role to play in challenging the systems and attitudes that allow gender-based violence to persist.
As we continue through the 16 Days of Activism, let us honour the lives lost by building a future where every woman, girl, and gender-diverse person can live free from violence — not just for 16 days, but every day.
Together, we can end the epidemic of intimate partner violence.
Visit the campaign page for more!