Le Lézard
Subjects: WOM, CFG, DEI

It's Not Just: National campaign raises youth awareness about gender-based violence


TORONTO, Dec. 1, 2022 /CNW/ - Women and Gender Equality Canada

It's not just locker room talk. It's not just a bad day. It's not just flirting. Gender-based violence is a serious issue that affects everyone in Canada, especially young women, girls, and transgender and gender-diverse people. When someone faces violence because of their gender, gender expression, or perceived gender identity, it is a violation of their human rights.

Today at York University in Toronto, the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, launched "It's Not Just", a national campaign to raise youth awareness about gender-based violence. Minister Ien was joined by Rhonda Lenton, President of York University, and several students to discuss how gender-based violence is impacting youth in Canada.

"It's Not Just" highlights how some forms of gender-based violence are diminished. The campaign seeks to help youth understand that gender-based violence is more than just physical and sexual violence: Emotional, financial, and cyber violence are forms of gender-based violence that can be just as harmful and have lasting psychological impacts. The campaign also highlights how some groups, including black and racialized women, women with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and newcomer women to Canada, are at higher risk of experiencing gender-based violence. "It's Not Just" aims to increase awareness of gender-based violence, build knowledge, and ultimately shift beliefs and actions to disrupt the cycle of violence too many Canadians experience daily.

The campaign is a collaboration with partner organizations, front-line service providers, experts, academics, advocates, and youth from various backgrounds. Women and Gender Equality Canada is partnering with YWCA Canada, Wisdom2Action, DAWN Canada, FOXY/SMASH, Platform, White Ribbon Canada, The Centre for Sexuality, GRIS Montreal, Interval House of Hamilton, the Circle Education, and Queer Yukon Society to reach and capture the insights of youth, specifically those from marginalized and underrepresented communities.

Quotes

"Young Canadians are at a higher risk of experiencing gender-based violence, even more so if they are young woman or girls (under 25); black or racialized women; newcomer women to Canada; women with disabilities; LGB+ people and people of other sexual orientations than heterosexual; transgender or gender diverse people; women living in Northern, rural or remote communities; Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. "It's Not Just" empowers youth to dismantle violent systems and support survivors of this violence. By recognizing and refusing to dismiss gender-based violence, we will work together to end GBV and make Canada safer for everyone."

The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

We are pleased to join the Honourable?Minister Ien?at York University to announce the?"It's Not Just" youth campaign. Gender-based and sexual violence continue to be prevalent in our society, and campaigns like "It's Not Just" play an important educative role aimed at prevention. Advancing social justice and equity is embedded in the?fabric?of our institution and?is demonstrated through our commitment to?the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).?At York, we are committed to ending gender-based violence 365 days a year, through our advocacy, teaching and learning, research?and support services."?

Rhonda Lenton, President of York University

Quick facts
Associated links

Follow Women and Gender Equality Canada:

SOURCE Women and Gender Equality Canada



News published on and distributed by: