Leave No One Behind                 

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The theme this year is Leave No One Behind and so we’re thinking about the ways that violence impacts women differently due to race, class, ability, sexuality, gender expression, status, age, and location. Violence against women is complex but it affects us ALL.

Some things we’re doing:

Watching the documentary A Better Man on TVO or online. The film follows Toronto-based Attiya Khan as she confronts her abuser and asks for his side of the story as a part of her journey toward justice and healing. 

Dismantling rape culture by believing and supporting survivors and by having conversations with people of all ages about informed, enthusiastic consent.
 
Teaching our children, especially girls, that they have bodily autonomy by letting them choose when (and how) they want to give and receive physical affection. Check out this awesome campaign from Girl Scouts.
 
Advocating for our government officials to keep their promises on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Inquiry and on upholding Jordan’s Principle (which ensures Indigenous children have access to healthcare when they need it). Find your MP here: https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/search

Calling out the mansplainers, the “not all men” guys, the cat-callers and anyone else we witness harassing or disrespecting women, especially if we have male privilege.
 
Getting to know and supporting amazing local organizations like: Maggie’s, PASAN, Sistering, Toronto Newsgirls, Native Youth Sexual Health Network and Shameless Magazine. We support by following on social media, responding to calls to action, attending their events, and donating.
 

Maggie's Toronto Sex Worker Action Project: Maggie’s mission is to provide education, advocacy, and support to assist sex workers to live and work with safety and dignity. 

PASAN: A community-based prisoner health and harm reduction organization that provides support, education and advocacy to prisoners and ex-prisoners across Canada.

Sistering: A multi-service agency for at-risk, socially isolated women in Toronto who are homeless or precariously housed.

Toronto Newsgirls Boxing Club: The mission of the Toronto Newsgirls Boxing Club is to provide a safe and positive space for women and trans people to explore the sport of boxing. TNG started the Shape Your Life, a free boxing program for female-identified survivors of violence.

Native Youth Sexual Health Network: NYSHN is an organization by and for Indigenous youth that works across issues of sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice throughout the United States and Canada.

Shameless Magazine: Shameless is an independent Canadian voice for smart, strong, sassy young women and trans youth. As a fresh alternative to typical teen magazines, Shameless aims to do more than just publish a magazine: they aim to inspire, inform, and advocate for young women and trans youth.
 

An Indian social activist holds a placard as policemen (background R) look on during a rally on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Kolkata on November 25, 2013. Getty Images.

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