Between November 25 and December 10, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and Canadian unions are taking part in 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence. From learning more about this issue to raising awareness, you can be a part of this activism.

In 2020, the CLC and researchers from the University of Western Ontario and the University of Toronto launched the first National Survey on Harassment and Violence at Work. The initial report was released in March. The survey revealed 7 in 10 workers experienced violence and harassment at work, and 1 in 3 of these incidents were perpetrated by third parties such as customers, clients and patients. Women and gender-diverse workers are most at risk.

Because violence and harassment thrive in an environment where no one speaks out, you can help get the word out by sharing the survey report and/or the Executive Summary. In addition, the CLC has created social media graphics you are free to use and is encouraging those with twitter accounts to read their thread and retweet their posts. 

There is an important global treaty on violence and harassment at work (C190), which Canada has yet to ratify. The more voices that are raised, the better chance there is that policy makers will pay attention to the problem of gender-based violence at work and act to address it. Ask the Labour Minister and your MP to ratify C190 and to take action to make work safer. 

As we approach December 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, let’s reaffirm our commitment to fight the hatred that led to the tragedy at Polytechnique Montréal, and the misogyny that still exists today.