(UN Women/UN.org)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

happening on Monday

Red dresses and respect to punctuate event against gender-based violence

Nov 21, 2019 | 10:15 AM

An event at Red Deer College this Monday will serve to recognize the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Organizers say the day is about education, respect and community building.

“The Students’ Association wants to promote the courageous voices of survivors and their families while encouraging students, faculty, staff, and community members to reflect on their own actions to determine how they can best support eradicating gender-based violence,” Jessica Hennelly, VP Community & Wellness with the Students’ Association of Red Deer College.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to end violence faced by women and girls, as well as diverse populations, including Indigenous peoples, LGBTQ2+ community members, gender non-binary individuals, those living in northern, rural, and remote communities, people with disabilities, newcomers, children and youth, and seniors.”

Perhaps the highlight of the event will be a display of red dresses hung in honour of Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women, which is being organized by the Red Feather Women.

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Member Sheila Bannerman says incorporating the red dresses was important so as to not forget about gender-based violence against Indigenous women.

“We want people to recognize that this is not a frivolous act, that it’s not an easy thing to hang out a red dress, that it requires reflection on what this means to one’s self and what it means to the community,” Bannerman says. “The idea is to involve the whole community by asking any individual or business to hang a red dress in their window, or the trees on their lawn to show they are aware of this issue.”

Red Dress Day itself is typically held May 5.

The event on Nov. 25 goes from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the forum inside Red Deer College. Afterwards, from 3 – 5 p.m., a pipe ceremony and community conversation will take place in the RDC Arts Centre foyer.

The activities also mark the first day of the Students’ Association’s 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. The 16 days conclude on Dec. 10, which is International Human Rights Day.

Monday’s event is also in collaboration with RDC’s Indigenous Student Services department.