YWCA Canada, the country’s largest multi-service women’s organization launches the annual Week Without Violence today. From October 15 to 21, the YWCA raises awareness and aims to end all forms of violence against women and girls.

“We are in a very charged times, violence against women is front and center in our social media feeds, in the news. At the YWCA we are focussed on ending violence against women year round,” said Maya Roy, YWCA Canada CEO.  “The theme of this year’s campaign is “Take time. Take action! Stop violence before it starts! Channelling anger into social action is one way to stop violence” she continues.

YWCA will release a series of resources on social media that encourage Canadians to reflect on the impact of violence and on how to express anger in a healthier way.  All resources are available in English and French, with some available in Spanish.

“Anger is the sentiment that will produce a change in our lives, so it’s energizing. Anger tells us there is a problem to solve, it keeps up moving forward and taking action, getting us out of our comfort zone,” explained Registered Clinical Counsellor Elaine Stoll.

YWCA Canada and all its 32 Member Associations encourage people to download and share the resources help create a more empathic and violence-free world.  YWCA member associations across the country are engaging in a series of community events and campaigns this week. YWCA Metro Vancouver, is calling on allies to stand up to a culture that tolerates violence against women. YWCA Moncton, will host Take Back the Night, a community march against sexual violence. Follow YWCA Canada on social media platforms for resources, and information on events.

YWCA Week Without Violence™

YWCA Week Without Violence is an annual global campaign that aims at raising awareness, promoting attitude changes and advocating to end all forms of violence against women and girls. This annual global campaign led by YWCA encourages people in more than 90 countries all over the planet to think and act towards a world without violence.

Every year during the second half of October, Canadians gather in a week-long series of events in a community-bonding atmosphere to discuss creating a violence-free world. More than 9,500 people in schools, workplaces and neighbourhood organizations across Canada join forces annually to develop initiatives aimed at making violence a thing of the past.

About YWCA Canada

YWCA Canada is the country’s oldest and largest women’s multi-service organization. YWCA represents 32 member associations whose programs and services create change for 1 million women, girls, and their families. Annually, YWCAs invest over $230 million to support 330,000 women and girls, in 300 communities across Canada.  YWCA Canada strives to strengthen women and girls’ equality, allowing them to see themselves as empowered and engaged.

 Click here and download resources for the 2018  Week Without Violence.

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