What you can do to remember gender-based violence victims on Dec 6

This Friday, Dec 6 marks the 30th annual National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women. It will also be the 35th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre.

Activist groups are holding events across the city that day in remembrance of the 14 women who were killed during the Polytechnique mass shooting, and the countless others who are still victims of gender-based violence. The National Day of Remembrance is just one of the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, running from Nov 25 to Dec 10.

As the Mass Casualty Commission’s final report declared in 2023, gender-based violence is a public health emergency—an epidemic that requires community-based solutions. Here are some of the community-focused organizations that are leading the charge in combatting gender-based violence and what events they’ll be holding on Friday.

Candlelit vigil at the Public Gardens

A candlelit vigil to remember the women killed in the Polytechnique shooting and to rally against gender-based violence will be taking place at the Public Gardens this Friday, Dec. 6.

The vigil is organized by Avalon and The Transition House Association of Nova Scotia for the 30th National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women. Starting at 4:15pm, candles will be given out to those who arrive at the Public Gardens fountain.

The vigil will be followed by a 1.8km march before returning to the fountain to voice reflections, sing the “Strong Women’s Song,” as well as hold two minutes of silence and a white carnation ceremony starting around 5:10pm. After this, participants will walk to the nearby Cathedral Church of All Saints for another event (see below).

Vigil and speakers on Cathedral Lane

Another candlelit vigil will be held at Cathedral Lane in Halifax on 4:15pm. This event is being hosted by Survivors for Change and Empowerment Nova Scotia, Kristina Fifield Trauma Therapy, Can’t Buy My Silence, Shelter Movers Nova Scotia, Persons Against Non-State Torture and Bryony House.

Following the candlelit vigil in the Public Gardens and on Cathedral Lane, guest speakers from Calls to Action on the Epidemic of Gender-Based Violence will be at the Great Hall within the Cathedral Church of All Saints on 1340 Cathedral Lane. This event will have food and beverages available for guests.

Dalhousie University ceremony

A ceremony to remember the victims of the École Polytechnique shooting will see the Dalhousie Women in Engineering Society host a Remembrance and Resilience Ceremony at the Irving Oil Auditorium at the Sexton Campus.

The flags at Dalhousie University will also fly at half mast, and a space will be reserved inside the Arts and Administration building to share stories of the victims.

A bus will leave King’s College at 4:15pm, making a stop at the Arts and Administration Building on Dal’s Studley Campus, before heading down to the Sexton Campus ceremony. Bus tickets are available.