Rose GiftThe YWCA Rose Campaign runs from November 25 – December 10, spanning the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and culminating in our annual Rose Breakfast on December 2nd. The campaign seeks to raise $200,000 for our violence prevention and recovery programs.
The 16 Days of Activism, which began in 1991 with activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute, are a chance for Canadians and others around the world to come together to speak out against gender-based violence and to reiterate our pledge to ending violence against women, girls, 2SLGBTQ+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, plus other sexual identities), and gender-diverse individuals. It is a chance for us to rally, speak out, and renew our commitment to ending gender-based violence.
The Rose Campaign is YWCA Edmonton’s largest fundraiser of the year, and helps our organization’s efforts to end gender-based violence in our community. This is difficult but important work – gender-based violence costs lives, impacts the mental health of children who witness it, and costs taxpayers billions each year – but there are solutions.
This year’s Rose Campaign breakfast on December 2 will feature prominent Canadian journalist Anna Maria Tremonti as she shares her personal story of hidden abuse, confronting the source of tremendous pain and trauma and, remarkably, freeing herself from a life-long sense of shame. We will also learn how we can effectively support people in our own lives who may be suffering, as research has proven that informal networks – including friends, family and coworkers – play a pivotal role in preventing and breaking the cycle of violence.
Please follow along with us on our social media channels over the coming 16 Days as we dedicate our focus to actions we can all take to end gender-based violence.
