Rose Campaign

Rose Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Girls

The Rose Campaign is a national advocacy campaign to end violence against women and girls. Each year, from November 25 to December 6, YWCA Canada’s annual Rose Campaign to end violence against women and girls highlights what we can all do to make their lives safer. The Rose Campaign is named for the rose button that commemorated the murder of 14 young women at Montréal’s l’École Polytechnique on December 6, 1989, and called on Canadians to first mourn, and then work for change. Violence remains the leading cause of women’s homelessness, with 100 000 women and chilren leaving home for emergency shelters each year. For young women, escaping a troubled home for life on the streets often means trading one abusive situations for another. That’s why this year, our Rose Campaign message shines a light on the safety of young women.

16 Days of Action
The Rose Campaign kicks off on November 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This date also launches the 16 Days of Global Activism, sponsored by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

Why December 6?
December 6 is Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, named by Parliament and etched in history by the 1989 shooting deaths in Montreal by a man targeting women on a busy university campus. Canadians reacted with shock, sorrow and outrage. The shootings strengthened work for legislation to bring guns under control and sparked the first men’s organizations dedicated to ending violence against women. December 6 became the day we remember the women who died and re-commit to taking action on violence against women and girls until our streets, our campuses and our homes are safe. Because Canada is not yet a safe country for women.

Why take action?
• 39% of women report experiencing sexual assault sometime during their lives.
• On any given day, over 3,000 women and 2,500 children are staying in an emergency shelter somewhere in Canada to escape domestic violence.
• Every week, at least one woman in Canada – and sometimes more – is murdered by a current or former partner.
• Over 80% of victims of dating violence are female.
• 2/3 of all women victims of sexual assault are under 24.
• Nearly 60% of women with disabilities will experience violence in their lifetime.
• Almost 600 Aboriginal women have been murdered or are missing in Canada in unsolved cases.
• Violence against women costs Canada well over $4 billion each year in costs of social services, criminal justice, lost employment days and health care. The human costs are much higher.

Everyone can do something to end violence against women and girls
There are many small ways to move forward on ending violence. Participating in the Rose Campaign by planning activities, actions or events at your school, on campus, at work or in the community that raise awareness and inspire action is a great start. Visit YWCA Canada’s Rose Campaign website, download the 2012 Rose Campaign toolkit, visit YWCA Moncton to pick up a Rose Campaign postcard to send to the Honourable Rona Ambrose,
Minister of State for Status of Women, or send an online message to Prime Minister Stephen Harper or your Member of Parliament.

On December 6th, there will be a public gathering for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women at the Dan Bohan Centre (5 Fatima Drive) beginning at 6:30pm, followed by a candlelight vigil and laying of roses at the December 6th memorial at Casely Park. This annual event is organized by the December 6th Committee of the Moncton and District Labour Council.