16 Ways You Can Help End Gender-Based Violence

November 25, marks the beginning of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence – an international campaign to raise awareness and challenge violence against women, girls and people of all genders and expressions. The campaign starts on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (Nov. 25) and runs to International Human Rights Day on Dec. 10th.

Together, let’s show our support to everyone impacted by gender-based violence, and stand together to end it. Here are 16 ways you can get involved:

  1. Listen: Support, listen and believe survivors and those affected by violence.
  2. Know the Facts: Learn what gender-based violence is and how it impacts different populations in Canada. Use this resource as a starting point.
  3. Start a conversation: Share your photos, messages and videos showing how you are participating in the campaign with the hashtags #16DaysforGirls or #16Days. Check out the Government of Canada’s website around the moment.
  4. Know your rights: Gender-based violence is a violation of human rights, including your right to health and protection. Learn how the Universal Declaration of Human Rights plays a role in our lives every day!
  5. Watch a movie, video or documentary related to gender-based violence such as those available on the National Film Board website (various languages; viewer discretion is advised for some films).
  6. Check out an event or participate in a challenge via Toronto Metropolitan University 
  7. Commemorate the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women by attending a virtual vigil on December 6.
  8. Be an ally. If you are a member of a privileged group, stand up against gender-specific violence. Take a look at peer organizations like the White Ribbon Movement, which calls on men to be allies to stop against violence against women and girls. 
  9. Read: check out these books on gender equality.
  10. Read with children: Here are 11 children’s books to help teach kids about gender equality.
  11. Talk with Children: Learn how to talk to children about gender stereotypes.
  12. Volunteer: Give your time to organizations working to end violence.
  13. Learn the signs: By recognizing violence, we can help end it. Learn how to detect the signs of relationship abuse.
  14. Support one another: We’re stronger together. Supporting girls, women, and people of all genders and expressions, and those who empower women, is essential to achieving gender equality and ending gender-based violence.
  15. Know the supports in your area: Know how survivors of gender-based violence can get assistance and who provides it in your community. This can be health services, crisis counselling, shelters and legal services. If someone you know discloses they are experiencing violence, you are equipped to direct them towards specialists that can help.   
  16. Give to the cause: Donate to organizations that are working to end gender-based violence. If you wish to support Save the Children’s mission to create a more equal world for all girls and boys, you can donate here