A vigil held in memory of the 14 female victims of the École Polytechnique massacre brought forward a number of issues surrounding gender-based violence in this province.

Lisa Faye, Executive Director of the St. John’s Status of Women Council, was a guest speaker at the event which was held at MUN’s Engineering Building.

While December 6 has been a day to remember the lives lost during the anti-feminism attacks in 1989, Faye also says it’s a day to think about other forms of gender-based violence.

She says other minorities such as Indigenous women, those incarcerated and members of the LGBTQ+ community deal with a higher rate of violence. She’s calling on MUN to do more.

Faye says she wants to see the university allow easier access for transgender students to change their name on university documentation as it is a safety issue as well as a sign of respect. She also wants domestic violence leave to be accessible for both students and staff.

Faye is also calling on the province to do more.

The St. John’s Status of Women Council has been asking government to develop a gender-based violence task force for years. Faye says there are laws on the table which make it difficult for people to leave violent situations.

Attendees were invited to pledge a concrete act regarding gender-based violence. pic.twitter.com/2Hnjobj7F7

— Sara Strickland (@_SaraStrickland) December 7, 2022