12 Days of Action to End Violence Against Women - APTS

The 16th edition of 12 Days of Action to End Violence Against Women begins November 25, 2025 with the theme “Same world, same struggles, same hopes.” In a context in which the far right is trampling the rights of women and gender-diverse people, this campaign stirs our consciences and reignites the fires of resistance.  

The fight to end violence against women and gender-diverse people is a struggle that knows no borders. Women, girls and people from the gender and sexual diversity community are still – and will remain – collateral victims of any assault on civil and human rights, particularly in times of war and genocide.

These realities may feel remote, but they’re deeply connected to ours and help shape local political and social life. Waging the fight in solidarity helps fuel hope for security and peace.
Let’s keep up the fight together.  

Want to find out more? Visit the Comité des 12 jours d’action website (in French):

12 jours d'action

Why do we mark the 12 Days of Action?

In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly has declared November 25 to be the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and a call has been made for governments and organizations to take action in order to raise public awareness of this social evil that puts women’s lives, safety, and hopes for equality at risk. The campaign in Québec will reach its peak on December 6, National Day of Remembrance and Action to End Violence Against Women, commemorating the femicides carried out at Montréal’s École Polytechnique in 1989 and the death of 14 young women.

Past campaigns

Intimate partner violence and the workplace: yes, there may be something you can do  

The APTS wants its members to be aware of actions they can take to support coworkers who may be victims of intimate partner violence.

Acting in solidarity, here are some of the things you can do:

  • Make sure any information communicated by the victim remains confidential.
  • Don’t interpret the facts.
  • Believe the person.
  • Provide reassurance.
  • Let them make their own decisions; don’t act without their consent.
  • Refer them to specialized resources.
  • Refer them to their labour relations counsellor for help in dealing with the employer.

 

What can your employer do?

show your solidarity

 

When an employer knows, or ought reasonably to know, that an employee is exposed to physical or psychological violence in the workplace (this includes spousal, family or sexual violence), the employer is required to take measures to protect the employee.

This obligation is spelled out in the Act respecting occupational health and safety, which means your employer can’t argue there’s nothing they can do about it or that intimate partner violence is a private matter.

For more information, see our brochure Show Your Solidarity: Intimate Partner Violence and the Workplace