The Handkerchief Project to End Violence Against Women and Girls

First we mourn. Then we work for change.

It has been 20 years since what we now know as the Montreal Massacre.  Fourteen women were murdered on that day simply because they were women…

• What were you doing when you heard?
• How did it make you feel?
• Were you glued to the television or radio that night?
• Were you scared for your daughter who was away at school?
• Were you scared for yourself?
• Are you still worried about your safety?
• Did you feel like it was an isolated incident?
• How does gender based violence make you feel now?
• Does women’s inequality lead to violence against them?
• What role are you prepared to play in the prevention of gender based violence?
• What role should the government play in prevention of gender based violence?
• What does it take to end violence against women?

Take a stand! Participate in The Handkerchief Project to End Violence Against Women And Girls.

On December 6th, 1989 women across Canada were shaken to their cores by events at L’Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal. On that bitterly cold day 19 years ago 14 of our sisters, 14 of our mothers, 14 of our daughters were separated from the men in the room and murdered.

Since that day that many of us recount when asked the jumpstart question “where were you when…?, women and men across this country have tried to fight against violence that is specifically aimed at women and girls.

As we approach the 20th anniversary of that fateful day we must ask ourselves “What role can we play in combatting violence against women in our society”. The first step is to talk about it. The second is to do what we can to get rid of it. We must also and always examine the connection between women’s inequality and gender based violence.

On March 8th 2009,  International Women’s Day we launched a nationwide initiative called THE HANDKERCHIEF PROJECT to End Violence Against Women and Girls. It is based on two US based undertakings, the Clothesline and Paper Clips Projects.

The Hankerchief Project invites you to participate by sending us a handkerchief, scarf, bandana, swatch or any brightly coloured piece of fabric to commemorate a woman or girl who has lived with or experienced violence.

On December 6, 2009 we will unveil your submissions to the project in downtown Toronto.  The unveiling will co-incide with annual vigils and events that take place to commemorate the massacre that took place in Montreal in 1989.

Gender based violence must stop and must become a political issue. We have the power to do both of these things.
The last 20 years have been about mourning, remembering, and trying to get things done.
The next 20 years must be about action and change.

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