On December 6, 1989, a gunman entered L’Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal, segregating the female students from the male students and began firing at the female engineering students.

On that day, 14 young women lost their lives to violence. The event has become known as the Montreal Massacre and is symbolic of the fight to end violence against women. In 1991, Canada’s Parliament declared December 6 a National Day of Mourning and the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

This Sunday, December 6, women, men and families will gather at vigils and memorials across the country to commemorate the 14 young women who were murdered and the many others who have been hurt or lost their lives to violence.

But we must do more than mourn in silence, for gender-based violence can only be ended if we take action and challenge the attitudes, behaviours and sexism that contribute to making our sisters victims of violence in our communities.

MoveUP partners with the BC Lions and other community organizations in the Be More Than A Bystander campaign, educating and challenging people to “break the silence on violence against women.” MoveUP is also a strong voice in support of a national inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and a part of the movement to push governments to take steps to prevent violence and to support victims of violence.

So, on December 6, take time to remember the victims of violence against women, consider joining an event in your community, talk to your children, and recommit to take action and confront all forms of violence against girls and women, wherever you see it.