Today, the Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality, hosted a flag raising and proclamation signing event at Confederation Building, to mark the start of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, also known as the Purple Ribbon Campaign.
The Purple Ribbon Campaign officially starts on November 25 of each year (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and concludes on December 10 (World Human Rights Day). In addition to the flag raising, the Confederation Building will be lit purple at the commencement of the campaign. These efforts help raise awareness and change attitudes about gender-based violence in the province.
This year’s theme, Come Together, Act Now, emphasizes the role for everyone, including men and boys, in changing social norms, attitudes and behaviours that contribute to gender-based violence.
The campaign also invites everyone to use their voices and actions to help create a safer, more equitable Newfoundland and Labrador, free from violence, discrimination, and fear.
This year’s Purple Ribbon ceremony included memorial banners of women and girls connected to this province whose lives were tragically taken as the result of gender-based violence. These women and girls were real people, who lived and will be forever loved.
With the permission of their families, those recognized today included:
- Deidre Michelin – Rigolet, Nunatsiavut
- Chrissy Predham – Ottawa
- Cortney Lake – Mount Pearl
- Dana Bradley – St. John’s
- Judy Benoit – Port au Port
- Julianne Hibbs – Conception Bay South
- Loretta Saunders – Happy Valley-Goose Bay
- Quinn Butt – Paradise
- Samantha Walsh – Fleur De Lys
- Chantel John – Miawpukek First Nation (Conne River)
- Kimberley Jararuse – Nain, Nunatsiavut
These banners are of no cost to families, and others wishing to have one created in memory of a loved one are encouraged to contact the Office of Women and Gender Equality at wgeinfo@gov.nl.ca, or by calling 709-729-2987.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s violence prevention efforts are grounded in multi-departmental and community partnerships focused on finding long-term solutions to gender-based violence.
In December 2023, a bilateral agreement with the Federal Government was announced that is seeing an investment of nearly $13.6 million over four years to support provincially tailored National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence initiatives.
As proposed to government in the Hear Our Voices: MMIWG Policy Recommendations of the First Women of Newfoundland and Labrador report, a Provincial Indigenous Women’s Reconciliation Council has been formed, where positive strides are being made to prevent violence, while creating a path forward toward justice, healing, and reconciliation.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is also establishing a multi-department, ministerial-level committee to end gender-based violence, that will work with community agencies, Indigenous Governments and Organizations, people with lived experience, and other stakeholders, to ensure supports are in place for people who have been impacted by gender-based violence.
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“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the family members who have bravely shared personal stories of their loved ones. Your courage in revealing the humanity of those taken from us, helps us see them not just as victims, but as individuals with dreams, aspirations, and a unique place in the world. Your openness honours their memory and reminds us of the profound loss that violence causes, not only to the victims, but to everyone who loved and cherished them. I challenge all residents of this province to commit to change and work tirelessly until gender-based violence is a thing of the past.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality
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