We’ve created 31 Actions for Gender Justice to raise awareness, spark conversations and take action that transforms gender and power relations, and the structures, norms and values that underpin them. Every day for the month of March we will highlight an action that advances gender equity and justice for International Women’s Day (IWD).

Zero Tolerance for violence against women

31 Actions for Gender Justice: Day 3

Raise your voice to call for zero tolerance for violence against women. Violence against women and girls is a violation of human rights.

Call out inappropriate behavior in a safe manner. Any form of violence –physical and psychological- against women is unacceptable, from inappropriate jokes and street harassment to murder. Speak up and step up.

Say NO to normalizing microaggressions like sexist jokes, the wage gap, bullying, patronizing speech, unconscious bias, gaslighting, slut-shaming, body-shaming, sexual harassment, and the list goes on…

Microaggression or so-called subtle violence isn’t so micro or so subtle. It’s abuse that belittles, shames, and oppresses women. It reinforces violent attitudes, behaviours, and perceptions that contribute to marginalization, overt physical and psychological abuse. And extreme forms of gender-based violence like murder.

The Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability listed 155 cases of gender-based killings of women in 2020 in Canada.

The numbers are deplorable:1 woman killed every 2.3 days in Canada.

According to Status of Women Canada, intimate partner violence is a prevalent form of violence. While intimate partner violence affects people of all genders, women account for the vast majority of cases.

Raise your voice against all forms of violence to help change these attitudes, behaviours, and perceptions.

Together, we can lift women up and save lives.

We are here to support you. If you need help, please contact our Crisis & Intake Line:⁠

Call: 604.687.1867 (Toll-Free 1.855.687.1868)⁠
Text: 604.652.1867 ⁠
Email: intake@bwss.org⁠

Zero Tolerance for violence.