OSSTF/FEESO shines the light to break the silence on violence against women

November is Women Abuse Prevention Month in Ontario. Once again, OSSTF/FEESO is proud to take action to Shine the Light on Men’s Violence against Women. Our office at 60 Mobile Drive will be visibly supporting this important initiative. Purple is used as a symbol of courage, survival and honour, and, for the month of November, symbolizes the fight to end woman abuse. We encourage our members to Shine the Light in their communities and homes on Men’s Violence against Women.

The Shine the Light campaign, initiated by the London Abused Women’s Centre, is focused on building awareness, engaging people in breaking the silence, and encouraging all communities to speak out against Violence against Women. A donation will be made to the campaign when Districts and Bargaining Units order purple lapel pins as part of their December 6 commemorations.

Dates to note include:

November 22—OSSTF/FEESO Provincial Councillors will wear purple in solidarity

November 25—International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Day 1 of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence

December 3 to December 7—Commemorative displays in OSSTF/FEESO worksites

December 6—National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women

December 10—International Human Rights Day

All District and Bargaining Units are encouraged to show support for this campaign by using the colour purple wherever possible. Please demonstrate your support through your local Facebook and Twitter accounts. Here are some other ways you can participate:

• Wear purple on November 15 (designated wear purple day)
• Put a purple LED light bulb on your front porch for the month
• Put a commemorative display in your worksite
• Use your voice to talk about ending men’s violence against women
• Use the power of social media to show your support using the hashtags #ShineTheLight #OSSTF #16Days #EndViolence
• Follow us on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
• Invite a women advocate to your school, work site or social group to talk about men’s violence against women
• Ask your city to turn local landmarks purple for the month of November

For further information on the campaign: www.lawc.on.ca/shine-light-woman-abuse-campaign

For more information on how you can participate, please contact Tracey Marshall at Provincial Office.