16 Days of Activism: Rise up against Gender-Based Violence
Toronto – November 25, 2025 – The 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign that shines a spotlight on the devastating issue of gender-based violence (GBV), which impacts millions of women, Two-Spirit, transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming individuals worldwide.
The campaign begins on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and emphasizes the urgent need for collective action to combat all forms of violence, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse. The campaign concludes on December 10, International Human Rights Day, which commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. This day reaffirms the fundamental principle that all people, regardless of gender, deserve to live free from violence and discrimination.
Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women falls within the 16 Days of Activism and is marked with vigils and events to commemorate the lives lost at Montreal’s École Polytechnique in 1989 and the lives lost to femicide and gender-based violence through the year.
The Canadian Labour Congress’s (CLC) 2025 Campaign theme is “Unions Rise Up Against Gender-Based Violence”, to draw attention to the gender-based violence that workers experience every day, and to end gender-based violence and harassment at work and in our communities.
From verbal abuse to physical assaults, employees in retail, healthcare, and public service are increasingly exposed to harmful behavior from customers. This not only jeopardizes their safety and well-being but also perpetuates a dangerous culture where violence is seen as an unavoidable part of the job.
The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, which has agreements in place across every province, emphasizes the importance of addressing all forms of gender-based violence. However, workplace violence—especially that which disproportionately affects women and marginalized groups—has often been overlooked in national conversations. It is vital that workplace violence be integrated into these discussions to ensure comprehensive, effective solutions.
In response, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 190 – the Violence and Harassment Convention (C-190), adopted in 2019, sets international standards for eliminating workplace violence and harassment. The convention calls for collaboration among unions, employers, and governments to create safer, more respectful workplaces. It emphasizes the need for policies that protect workers while fostering a culture of dignity and respect.
The Violence is Not Part of the Job: Respect Frontline Workers campaign plays a crucial role in advocating for change by raising awareness and insisting that violence and harassment should never be considered “part of the job.” In 2023, UFCW Canada’s Women & Gender Equity Committee launched a national survey, gathering responses from thousands of frontline workers who reported a disturbing increase in workplace violence. In response, the #NotPartOfTheJob campaign highlights this growing issue and calls on employers to take immediate action to eliminate gender-based violence in the workplace. Through social media initiatives like #NotPartOfTheJob, individuals are encouraged to join the movement, demanding respect for all workers and ensuring that incidents of workplace violence are addressed swiftly and effectively.
The 16 Days of Activism provides an opportunity to reflect on these critical issues, take action, and push for a safer, more just workplace for everyone. It is essential that employers take proactive steps to protect their employees, ensuring that workplaces are free from harassment and violence, and creating supportive environments for all.
How you can get involved:
- Share UFCW Canada’s posts on Instagram, Facebook, X and BlueSky on the #16Days Of Activism. Use the following hashtags: #16Days, #NotPartoftheJob, and #EndGBV
- Join UFCW Canada’s Violence is Not Part of the Job: Respect Frontline Workers campaign by signing onto the open letter to all Canadian businesses, holding them accountable for the working conditions and abuse experienced by frontline workers
- Participate in the CLC survey and help make work safer for all workers in Canada: In 2022, the CLC learned that 7 out of 10 workers surveyed across Canada experienced harassment and violence at work. Has anything changed since then? Make your voice heard about harassment and violence at work—take the Respect at Work survey today and spread the word in your networks.
- Create awareness through education – register for FREE UFCW Canada’s webCampus On-the-Go course on Gender-Based Violence or Workplace Violence and Harassment. The courses are designed to be completed within 15 minutes or less.
