The provincial government has officially marked the beginning of 16 Days of Activism, better known as the Purple Ribbon Campaign.

The annual initiative aims to raise awareness and change attitudes about gender-based violence in the province.

Many could be seen wiping tears from their eyes as the heartbreaking stories of victims were shared during an event at Confederation Building.

Debbie Hibbs, the mother of Julianne Hibbs, and Glenda Power, the aunt of Cortney Lake, both spoke at the event.

Even while recounting happy memories, both family members, at times, could be seen fighting back tears while talking about their loved ones.

That pain became even more evident as each woman discussed the violence behind their loved ones’ deaths.

Hibbs and her fiancé Vince Dillon were shot and killed one decade ago by a man who Hibbs and been in a relationship with years earlier.

Lake disappeared in June 2017. The case was eventually ruled a homicide and the only suspect, Lake’s former boyfriend, died by suicide that November.

While the ceremony was held today, the Purple Ribbon Campaign officially starts on Saturday, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on December 10—World Human Rights Day.