Started in 1991 the Center for Women’s Global Leadership wanted to link International Day Against Violence Against Women (Nov 25th) to Human Rights Day as being free from violence is a human right.

Gender based violence is the result of men and boys being taught they must hold power in the relationship and if threatened violence is a way to achieve power.

It includes physical, emotional, financial and sexual violence. All of which can be present in a unhealthy relationship but are not required for you to deserve better; protection, care and love.

People stay in relationships where violence has occurred for a myriad of reasons including:

• loving the good that truly exists in their partner,

• being finically unable to live somewhere else

• Being socially or physically isolated

• Feeling this is a part of passionate love

• Not knowing any different

• more

We can and must do better.

We can teach about consent and how to handle rejection.

We can make space to expand gender roles.

Anyone who has used violence can learn different ways of coping.

November 25th - International Day Against Violence Against Women

November 29th - International Women Human Rights Defenders Day

December 1 - World AIDS Day

December 6- Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre

December 10th - Human Rights Day