For over 20 years, YWCAs worldwide have marked the Week Without Violence.
During the first few weeks of October, YWCAs are usually buzzing with activity. Colleagues are applying the final touches on events, reviewing registration lists and catering numbers for Power of Being You conferences, getting ready for reading events, family art activities, executing random acts of kindness, mounting art displays and more.
This year, there is a palpable quiet.
COVID-19 has dampened and extinguished plans, as physical distancing and public health protocols persist. Yet, violence in our communities continues. Microaggressions, tech facilitated violence against women, domestic violence, intimate partner violence and other forms of gender-based violence has escalated during the pandemic.
The Week Without Violence, marked worldwide in the third week of October is a global campaign to end violence in our communities. Organizations bring people together to raise awareness and promote change with a goal of eradicating violence against women and girls, including, intimate partner/domestic violence, bullying, racism, elder abuse, trafficking, child marriage, sexual assault, and harassment.
YWCA Canada’s theme this year is Take Time. Take Action. Stop Violence Before It Starts.
To help amplify the week on social media, we have assembled easily shareable resources. A new focus also recognizes a gender violence-free future is Past Due.
Between October 19th and October 25th, followers and supporters are invited to join the worldwide movement by sharing resources and tools on social media. To access graphics and find out more visit https://ywcacanada.ca/week-without-violence/.
Follow the hashtags #WeekWithoutViolence2020 and #WWV20 on social media channels for updates from YWCAs across Canada and around the world.
Recognizing the impact that COVID-19 has had on exacerbating gender inequality, the World YWCA launched a Week Without Violence toolkit, that provides suggestions for organizing virtual events and advocating.
During this pandemic, our work has become even more urgent and we call on you to do your part to address gender-based violence before it starts. To support our initiatives, please consider becoming a monthly donor and visit https://ywcacanada.ca/donate to learn more
Thank you for all that you do and we look forward to working with you to create safer communities for us all.
Andrea Logan is a Postgraduate Student in Public Relations and Corporate Communications at Centennial College with an Honours Bachelors of Arts in Communication Studies from York University. Currently, Andrea is completing a practicum with the Member Services Team at YWCA Canada. You can connect with Andrea on Twitter at @andiee99.
