A non-profit group in Fort McMurray is aiming to lift consciousness about gender-based violence by collaborating in a world marketing campaign known as 16 Days of Activism.
The annual marketing campaign kicks off on Nov. 25, the Worldwide Day for the Elimination of Violence towards Girls.
Sundas Shamshad, interim govt director of Women Inc. of Northern Alberta, stated 16 Days teaches ladies about self-respect and confidence, and learn how to see themselves mirrored in optimistic position fashions.
There can be two workshops in Fort McMurray — one about defining gender-based violence and one other about supporting survivors and creating consciousness concerning the situation.
“Generally individuals assume it is regular to, for instance, being catcalled whenever you’re strolling down the road … simply to be aware of these issues and say, ‘No, that is not acceptable,'” Shamshad stated.
The marketing campaign consists of an artwork exhibit that can be proven within the entrance entrance to MacDonald Island Park, and a radio marketing campaign to inform individuals about 16 Days of Activism.
A number of submissions for the artwork exhibit have already been acquired. Shamshad emphasised that the exhibit is just not just for youngsters, and he or she desires to encourage adults to take part as effectively.
“The thought is to simply spark a dialog,” Shamshad stated. She stated she desires ladies to really feel empowered to acknowledge when a scenario is not proper or protected.
Holly Hashimi, a volunteer with Women Inc., was one of many keynote audio system for 16 Days of Activism in 2021.
She stated that when she was working in Fort McMurray years in the past, she was attacked in a public washroom. A person got here in and attacked her, punching and kicking, she stated. She began screaming as loud as she might.
“Sadly nobody heard me, but it surely was sufficient to scare him away,” Hashimi stated. The person was by no means caught.
She used her expertise to assist others, volunteering for sufferer’s providers and Women Inc.
She wished to share her expertise with younger individuals to allow them to defend themselves and perceive what victims undergo.
When she was attacked, she did not know anybody else who had gone by way of something comparable.
“I wished them to know … it might occur to anybody. It does occur,” Hashimi stated. She shared tips about learn how to help somebody who has gone by way of a traumatic expertise.
“The programming is so vital for younger ladies to know their value,” she stated.
Her presentation final yr was the primary time she spoke publicly about being attacked.
“It was a part of my therapeutic course of,” Hashimi stated. “I began as a sufferer simply within the darkest a part of my life and I did not see any manner out. And now I can discuss it. I can use it to assist others.”
Gabriella Tobin, 8, is among the artists sharing her work within the exhibition. She made a mixed-media image to spotlight the plight of lacking and murdered Indigenous ladies and ladies.
She’s excited to have her art work displayed at MacDonald Island, the place 1000’s of individuals will get to see it.
“I simply wished to simply perform a little to indicate everybody what I can do, as a result of I actually like drawing,” Gabriella stated.
“I am hoping to see everybody … simply take a look at it and assume for a bit of bit. For a second.”
She stated she desires her artwork to make individuals to cease and take into consideration violence affecting Indigenous ladies and ladies.
Gabriella — who’s Indigenous — stated she thinks about how she would really feel if something occurred to her mother or siblings.
The artwork exhibition will launch on Nov. 25, with submissions accepted till Nov. 18.