YWCA Raising the Flag to End Gender-Based Violence Across Ontario

UPDATE (2:40 p.m., Nov. 19, 2021): The flag-raising event has been changed from 1:00 p.m. to noon.

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton is going to new heights for Women Abuse Prevention Month in a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall announced on Thursday.

Photo Courtesy of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.

The ceremony will occur at City Hall on Thursday at noon The event is meant to help raise awareness and to end gender-based violence according to the YWCA.

“International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women” and the first day of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a Wrapped in Courage” flag will be raised in our community at Peterborough City Hall and a Proclamation will be declared by Mayor Diane Therrien as stated in the press release.

This Proclamation and flag-raising signal a commitment to ending gender-based violence in our community and to ensuring survivors know they are not alone. 

For the ninth year, the “Wrapped in Courage” campaign is mobilizing Violence Against Women (VAW) shelters across Ontario since violence continues to be the greatest gender inequality rights issue for women and girls according to the press release.

The YWCA is requesting that purple scarves be worn to show support for gender-based violence survivors who suffered from their homes, communities and workplaces. The purple scarf is a symbol of the courage it takes to seek support and safety from violence.

Suggested ways to address gender-based violence in a meaningful way by the YWCA:

  • Talking with those close to you about how shelters in your communities play an essential role for survivor safety through their programs and services and continue to have services available throughout the pandemic.

  • Contact your municipal, provincial and federal politicians to let them know you want them to take action to end gender-based violence through commitments and planning at all levels of government. 

  • Visiting ywcapeterborough.org or calling 705-743-3526 to learn more about how you can support local services for women experiencing gender-based violence and their children.

  • Posting and sharing photos and videos of Wrapped in Courage flags across Ontario.

  • Wearing or displaying a Purple Scarf in Support of Survivors of Gender-Based Violence and post with the hashtag #WrappedinCourage to your social media accounts.

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