A Month to Take a Stand

January 25, 2023

Greetings Everyone,

Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to take a stand, to lobby, to advocate for those in need or causes that you are passionate about? This month provides lots of opportunities for you to do just that. Local and International efforts to create system change - and to speak up for those who can’t - can be found in this month’s list of awareness days. A quote from Maya Angelou may be best for summing up the feeling for February's lists:

“If you’re not angry, you’re either a stone, or you’re too sick to be angry. You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn’t do anything to the object of its displeasure. So use that anger, yes. You write it. You paint it. You dance it. You march it. You vote it. You do everything about it. You talk it. Never stop talking it.”

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation – February 6
International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023 – February 11
Sexual Reproduction Health Awareness Day – February 12
Nova Scotia Family Violence Prevention Week – February 13-19
Heritage Day in Nova Scotia – February 20
World Day of Social Justice – February 20
Pink Shirt Anti-bullying Day – February 22
Anniversary of Every Woman’s Centre in Cape Breton – February 27
African Nova Scotia History Month
One Billion Rising

Find out more about these important dates on our blog.

In December 2013, the Nova Scotia government introduced a bill to create a holiday on the third Monday in February. This was partly in response to public pressure, as many other provinces and territories had already created a “Family Day” in February. It was also an opportunity to acknowledge the fact that we, as Nova Scotians, have some pretty amazing predecessors to learn from, to be inspired by, and to emulate in many ways. A campaign was proposed asking Nova Scotia school children to suggest the first 12 inspiring honourees. This year we are celebrating the life of Rita Joe. Keep reading...

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
According to household surveys in 28 countries, more than 80% of women aged 15-49 have undergone FGM in seven African countries (Guinea, Djibouti, Mali, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Sierra Leone). FGM is also found in western countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023
Globally, only 33% of researchers are women. They are awarded less research funding than men and are less likely to be promoted. In the private sector, too, women are less present in company leadership and in technical roles in tech industries. Women account for just 22% of professionals working in artificial intelligence and 28% of engineering graduates. These glaring under-representations limit our ability to find inclusive, sustainable solutions to modern problems and build a better society for all.

Nova Scotia Family Violence Prevention Week
A national survey from the Ending Violence Association of Canada and Anova documented the impact the pandemic has had on domestic violence survivors as observed by 376 gender-based violence service providers. From May 18 to July 20, 2020, 46% of gender-based violence staff and volunteers reported changes in the prevalence and severity of violence experienced by survivors, with 82% of these workers describing an increase in the prevalence and severity of violence.

World Day of Social Justice
According to the UN, over half the world’s population lives on less than $2.50 a day.

Pink Shirt Anti-bullying Day
At least 1 in 3 adolescent students in Canada have reported being bullied recently.
47% of Canadian parents have at least one child that has been a victim of bullying.

African Nova Scotia History Month
Nova Scotia has more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities with a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years.

One Billion Rising
1 in 3 women across the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. That’s ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS.