UPEI marks 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with flag event

UPEI is marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with a Red Flag Green Flag event that involves red and green laminated signs hung across campus. The signs are printed with examples and messages about “red flag” (unhealthy) behaviours and “green flag” (healthy) behaviours in dating and relationships.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that began in 1991 and occurs each year from November 25 to December 10. This campaign calls upon people to act, to speak out, and to renew their commitment to ending violence against women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities. To honour this important initiative, the UPEI Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO), in partnership with fourth-year UPEI nursing students created the Red Flag Green Flag event. This is the second year that the event has been held.

Pamela Atkinson, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator, said that the inaugural event last year, which also involved fourth-year nursing students, was visually impactful and sparked many conversations about healthy and unhealthy behaviours in relationships and dating. 

“We knew we wanted to bring it back so we asked the nursing students who were doing their work placement with the SVPRO this year to consider adding new perspectives and context, which will hopefully deepen discussions and ensure that more students feel represented and better understand the event’s connection to the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,” said Atkinson. 

There is also a 16 Days of Activism display at the Robertson Library until December 10, which includes a chance to play the SVPRO’s 16 Days of Activism bingo.

During these 16 days, Canada observes three important dates:

• November 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
• December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
• December 10: Human Rights Day

For anyone affected by sexual or gender-based violence, the UPEI SVPRO offers confidential support and resources. The office can be reached at 902-620-5090or sv-pro@upei.ca, or visited in person in Rooms 115–118, Kelley Memorial Building, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am–4:00 pm.