Equity and Inclusion: Board supports end to gender-based violence

Rainbow District School Board Trustees have joined together to reaffirm their commitment to equity and inclusion. At the regular Board meeting on Tuesday, November 24, 2015, Trustees unanimously approved a motion “that in keeping with its endorsement for equity and inclusion, the Board supports an end to gender-based violence”.

The motion came on the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. November 25th marks the start of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, including the anniversary of the Montreal massacre, which occurred on December 6, 1989. These days of action will conclude on December 10th with International Human Rights Day.

“We thank our Equity and Inclusive Education Committee, which is made up of 36 members from the Board and the community, for inspiring all of us to be allies for staff and students in Rainbow Schools,” says Board Chair Doreen Dewar. “We all have a role to play in ending gender-based violence. This is another opportunity for us to demonstrate our shared commitment to maintaining safe, respectful, nurturing and caring communities, through education.”

Schools have received information about educator resources to help students better understand gender violence and have been invited to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women on December 6, 2015. Some may wear the commemorative rose button, while others may sport white ribbons and take the pledge to #EndViolence.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705.674.3171. ext. 7217.