These 16 days highlight our work however, BWSS takes action every day. As a matter of fact the work towards ending violence against girls and women happens 365 days here at BWSS.
We are five days into the 16 days which began at BWSS NOW on Friday, November 25, 2016. The commemoration included community leaders, change makers, community members and supporters from all sectors.
The evening began with a welcoming to the territory by Debra Sparrow from Musqueam. Cecelia Point spoke on behalf of the Board of Directors. Later Gregor Robertson, Mayor of Vancouver shared a few words acknowledging the role of the city and read a proclamation officially announcing November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in the City of Vancouver. Minister of Justice and Attorney General of British Columbia Suzanne Anton kindly shared a few words.
The evening ended with Dr. Jordana Aziz who shared a poignant and powerful story of resistance and empowerment.
Friday also marked the launch of Battered Women’s Support Services Transformations a holistic healing program.
On Monday, November 28, 2016 BWSS team advocated for a woman who was wrongfully arrested to have her child returned to her. Stay tuned for our upcoming blog on December 9th on the RCMP and the Violence against Women in Relationships Policy.
On the same day, our legal advocacy team learned that after two weeks supporting a woman fleeing gender persecution had finally received temporary immigration status in Canada.
The Message is Simple, “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”
On Tuesday, November 29, 2016 after four years in the making, Metro Vancouver will now have an important tool in the effort to end sexual harassment and assault on public transportation. The Battered Women’s Support Services team represented, at a press conference with Metro Vancouver Transit Police Chief Doug LePard, introducing a poster designed to combat sexual violence on Metro Vancouver Transit system.
Thank you to our supporters for making this giving Tuesday our best, including the two new monthly donors donating $100 each!
#GetTuffWithUs today, donate here.
Check out our calendar below for upcoming events during the 16 Days of Activism:
Wednesday, December 1, 2016 is World AIDS Day stay connected with us online through Twitter @EndingViolence and on the BWSS Ending Violence Blog
Thursday, December 2, 2016– My Sister’s Closet hosts Empowerment through Style workshop for the women in BWSS employment program, AWARE, lead by Tracy Richardson, Media Stylist and Image Consultant.
Friday, December 2, 2016, Rona Amiri, BWSS Violence Prevention Co-ordinator participates in Each One, Teach One Roundtable hosted by StreetRich Hip Hop Society
Saturday, December 3, 2016 -Rona Amiri, BWSS Violence Prevention Co-ordinator will participate “Rape on Campus: Women Fight Back” roundtable at Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter Montréal Massacre Memorial 2016
Monday, December 5, 2016 -Terriea BWSS Manager Indigenous Program, Michele BWSS Manager Employment Program, Samantha BWSS Manager Retail Programs and Services bringing the ending violence against women message to Bling It hosted by WIM
Tuesday, December 6th National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
Angela Marie MacDougall, BWSS Executive Director will Emcee Women’s Monument Committee and Remember Our Sisters Everywhere event RISE for Yazidi Women and Girls / Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women – 10am in Thornton Park, Vancouver, BC
Wednesday, December 7, 2016 -Black Women and Violence Blogs by Amarachi BWSS Volunteer, Theresa BWSS Women’s Counsellor and Angela BWSS ED. Read the blogs on our Ending Violence Blog.
Thursday, December 8, 2016 -Our annual Staff Holiday Celebration gathering our spirit and energy for 2017
Friday, December 9, 2016
My Sister’s Closet hosts Massy’s Books – where a collection of books on women’s history, leaders, feminists will be sold at My Sister’s Closet and 50% of sales will go to BWSS!
And stay tuned to BWSS Ending Violence Blog to read about the RCMP and the Violence against Women in Relationships Policy –
Saturday, December 10, 2016 -Human Rights Day -BWSS Ending Violence Blog.
Download the poster here. 
From November 24th to 26 2016 I attended a CCR consultation meeting in Montreal as the BWSS representative.
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The first resolution regarding the racialization of poverty is a very important resolution in confronting violence against women; we know that racialized immigrant women in Canada are over-represented in low-paid, low-skill jobs, underemployed and in precarious work conditions that despite their relative high levels of education. In addition to the inherent violence in poverty, this also places women at further risk of victimization and increases their vulnerability. In our work at BWSS we witness how financial dependency and fear of poverty force women to stay in abusive relationship as well as in unsafe, abusive workplaces.
The other resolution discussed climate change and its impacts on forced migration. When climate change impacts the land, lands are poisoned or no longer fertile, when there is long drought or flooding, women or their husbands have to migrate in order to survive and support the family. In both cases women become vulnerable to violence. By taking long and dangerous journeys; working on unsafe exploitative work conditions; often having no legal status or by the increase of the vulnerability of the women that are behind fend for themselves and their children in extreme poverty.
