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.
