Commemorate the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Faculty, staff and students will gather on campus Dec. 3 for a commemorative event honouring those affected by gender-based violence.

November 24, 2025

A white rose in the centre of text reading National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women 2025
McMaster students, staff, faculty and community members are invited to gather at campus events to reflect, commit to taking a stand against gender-based violence, and honour victims and survivors, past and present.

Each year, the McMaster community is invited to gather and honour the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

On Dec. 6, 1989, 14 women, many of whom were studying to be engineers, were murdered in a violent act of misogyny at École Polytechnique in Montreal.

This year marks the 36th anniversary of the attack. Together, the McMaster community will reflect, commit to taking a stand against gender-based violence and honour victims and survivors, past and present.

Faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in campus events behind held in the days leading up to Dec.6:

Pop-up booths 

Monday Dec. 1 and Tuesday Dec. 2, | 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Thode Library  

Access resources on gender-based violence and connect with representatives from Women in Engineering, the Equity and Inclusion Office, and the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office.


Commemorative event 

Wednesday, Dec. 3 | 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. | L.R. Wilson Concert Hall

Remember and reflect with a panel discussion, music by pianist and McMaster Engineering student Aidan Lao, and video tribute. Refreshments to follow.

The event will also be livestreamed for online viewers.

Please register online to receive the livestream link or to attend the event in person.


Memorial walk 

Wednesday, Dec. 3 | 1:15 p.m.  – 2 p.m. |  Lobby of L.R. Wilson, following commemorative event 

Participate in a memorial walk to honour victims of violence against women. The walk will begin in the lobby of L.R. Wilson Hall and include at least five stops on campus, totaling approximately 45 minutes.

A golf cart will be available for accessibility purposes.

Please register online to attend, and please dress for the weather.

A group of people sit in chairs around a table with plates of food at the 2025 McMaster holiday open house

In pictures: Holiday open house

Faculty and staff gathered for a moment of festive cheer.
Two students dressed in black play the santoor and tonbak in the student centre

World Stage at Mac celebrates culture, creativity and connection

McMaster’s multicultural showcase brought music, dance and global flavours to this year’s Holiday Market.
three panelists and a moderator sit on armchairs on a stage in front of a big screen displaying the panelists' name and the name of the event: Remember. Reflect. Resist.

A call to remember, reflect and resist: The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Commemorative events and a memorial walk served as a powerful reminder that action on gender-based violence begins with awareness.