(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – November 25, 2022) Today Capacity observes International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (IDEVAW), a day of action and remembrance that also marks the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the global campaign to eradicate violence against women, girls, and gender diverse individuals.
IDEVAW and the 16 Days Campaign represent a critical period to act and speak out on all forms of violence against women, girls, and gender minorities. Capacity takes the time to remember the brave individuals who have given everything, even their lives, to advance the human rights of women and combat gender-based violence (GBV). We wish for the survivors of this violence – including their families and loved ones – to receive the care, supports, and justice they seek. Recognizing that GBV intersects with forms of violence linked to race, class, religion, and sexuality, Capacity continues to support BIPOC communities and individuals fighting to end structural violence and institutionalized racism, including the epidemic of violence against Indigenous women (the MMIWG2S Crisis) in Canada.
As a research unit focused on dismantling discrimination and inequities in health care and social services, Capacity is committed to advancing research that supports the rights, safety, and welfare of women impacted by GBV. We are particularly excited to be working with academics, researchers, community partners, and women with lived and living experience of GBV on a national research project, Scaling Up Strengths-Based Outreach with Women Affected by Violence. Recognizing the longstanding need for innovative programming and supports that mitigate the risks and impacts of GBV, this project is testing and implementing a strength-based, trauma and violence informed model of outreach to improve women’s engagement with essential services and supports.
Situated within a post-secondary institution that has historically benefited from colonial violence and Eurocentric approaches to teaching and research, Capacity reaffirms our responsibility in calling out all systems, institutions, and frameworks that may perpetuate or exacerbate GBV. During this period of meaningful action and reflection, we also hope that action, awareness, and dialogue continues year round, on the remaining 349 days, to advance a future free from gender-based violence.