Manitoba remembers female victims of violence

A public ceremony in Winnipeg on Friday will mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. 

The event on Friday honours the 14 women who were killed at Montreal's École Polytechnique on Dec. 6, 1989, as well as Manitoba women and girls who died this year due to acts of violence, a provincial news release states.

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"Preventing violence against women is a collective responsibility. The Manitoba government recognizes the importance of programs and initiatives that help address gender-based violence, and promote a safer, more inclusive society," Family Services Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross said in the release. 

This year's event in Winnipeg will include a panel discussion on sexual violence on campus with students from post-secondary institutions, said the release.

"Violence against women is a problem in many environments, including on campus, and we're engaging students to help us identify possible solutions," said Irvin-Ross. 

The provincial government is currently running two anti-gender-based-violence campaigns in Manitoba, the release says. #WhoWillYouHelp is a series of television and print ads that encourage people to intervene when they encounter gender-based harassment and violence, and Break the Silence is an educational program with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers that encourages men and women to take action against violence, the release says.

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women event takes place Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the rotunda of the Manitoba Legislative Building.