La Boussole joins forces with Réseau-Femmes Colombie-Britannique and inform'Elles for the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence against women and girls. The campaign runs from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day).
During these 16 days, La Boussole and its partners will relay daily tips on how to become a better ally in this fight on social networks (Facebook - Instagram). We've compiled all these tips in this publication.
Enjoy your reading!
1) Get informed
November 25, 2022 marks the first day of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence. Each day, we'll give you the keys to being a good ally against the violence that persists.
To tackle sensitive subjects such as gender-based violence, or even feminism in its entirety, it's essential to inform yourself in the right way. Read books, listen to podcasts, talk to people around you who are also learning about these subjects, watch films and series, and consult reliable sources of information such as official websites: sosviolenceconjugale.ca, informelles.ca, aocvf.ca, femaide.ca...
2) Training
To reinforce what you've learned, it's important to get started and get trained. A multitude of organizations offer a wide range of training courses, often free of charge, to help you better understand feminist issues such as gender-based violence. How to act and react in the event of a violent situation involving a loved one, what actions to take, what words to use, and so on. You need to be properly trained to deal with situations of violence. You can watch this webinar given by community guides on gender-based violence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7vPr1wdSO8
3) Become aware of your privilege
Becoming aware of one's privilege means learning to put oneself in the other person's shoes and asking "What if it were me?". Facing up to the realities experienced by others is an important and long-term task. The "Ni putes ni soumises" collective has produced a short video in which a man disguises himself as a woman and confronts the street harassment that women can experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjDaJQEevPU
Finally, when we become aware of our privilege, we have to be ready to give it up.
4) Deconstruct your stereotypical upbringing
To deconstruct your stereotypical upbringing, it's vital to identify your prejudices. This step can be difficult, as it requires a great deal of introspection. The first step is to list any negative thoughts you may have about a group of people. You can familiarize yourself with the ACS+ (Analyse Comparative des Sexes) tool, which will enable you to tackle systemic barriers.
4) Deconstruct your stereotypical upbringing
To deconstruct your stereotypical upbringing, it's vital to identify your prejudices. This step can be difficult, as it requires a great deal of introspection. The first step is to list any negative thoughts you may have about a group of people. You can familiarize yourself with the ACS+ (Analyse Comparative des Sexes) tool, which will enable you to tackle systemic barriers.
6) Educate those around you
Now that you've learned about the fight against gender-based violence, you'll be in a position to educate your friends and family on the subject. This can be done in small ways, such as informing your friends of the existence of a hotline, intervening in sexist situations, letting your friends know that you're there to listen...
7) Take back the people around you
It can sometimes be difficult to take back your friends, at the risk of coming across as the moralizing member of the group. But it's a crucial step on the road to becoming a better ally. Calling out those around you on problematic comments or behavior is a way of showing your understanding of the importance of gender inequalities, and a concrete, militant act to change things.
8) Improve your workplace culture
To engage in work practices that actively combat sexism, it's important to understand how one's own behavior may be part of the problem. It's a matter of questioning oneself and taking stock of one's own behavior. Then set up awareness-raising workshops with your teams, or ask your superiors about sexual harassment policies in the workplace. Let women know they're in a safe space. The AJEFCB workplace aggression policy offers excellent tools for combating sexual harassment in the workplace: https://ajefcb.ca/hst/
9) Be a good listener
Being an ally also means showing humility and acting in a supportive way, becoming aware of one's position as a privileged person, and giving a voice to those primarily concerned.
10) Believe the victims
"I believe you." These few words may seem insignificant, but they are important in a world where women's word is constantly being questioned and their actions constantly judged. Victims' voices must be heard, and that means believing them, without delay or condition. #jetecrois
11) Don't underestimate the seemingly trivial
An "unfortunate" word, an "inappropriate" gesture... These interactions may seem harmless, but they are the visible face of an oppressive system that turns women into objects for men to dispose of at will. From feelings of discomfort to memories of trauma, not to mention potential harassment, you never know what might be lurking behind these behaviors. We must remain vigilant.
12) Put your ego aside
When a woman talks about the problems she encounters with men, she's not necessarily talking about you. So when you're taken back on problematic behavior, take it as constructive criticism. Patriarchy is a global system that's hard to break free from. Accept criticism and try to become a better ally every day.
13) Validating women's experience and voice
Assume that a woman can define sexism or gender-based violence better than you can. If a woman identifies sexist actions or violence, don't contradict her.
14) Accept unpleasant conversations
You may be taken to task in conversations that question your privilege. Despite the unpleasant effect this may have, accept these moments and don't think you're not part of the problem.
15) Actively support the
If you can afford it, donate to feminist associations, bloggers, activists... It's these movements that enable women to free their voices, feel safe and therefore initiate systemic change.
16) Take action!
Whether in the street, at work, on the Internet or at school, if you witness sexist remarks, inappropriate jokes or gestures, insults, harassment or physical and/or sexual violence: intervene!
