Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario
December Newsletter 2025
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National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
December 6
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is about remembering those who have experienced gender-based violence and those who we have lost to it. It is also a time to take action.
On this day, we wear a white ribbon to honour the victims and call for an end to gender-based violence. The White Ribbon Campaign is a global movement of men and boys in more than 60 countries working to end male violence against women and girls. It began in Toronto in 1991 in response to the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre.
Read more about the École Polytechnique massacre.
Read ways you can end violence against women:
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16 Days of Activism
November 25 to December 10
16 Days of Activism continues into December, and this year's theme is "End Digital Violence Against All Women & Girls."
What needs to happen now and how to take action:
- Hold perpetrators accountable through better laws and enforcement.
- Make tech companies step up by hiring more women to create safer online spaces, removing harmful content quickly, and responding to reports of abuse.
- Support survivors with real resources by funding women’s rights organizations and movements.
- Invest in prevention and culture change through digital literacy and online safety training for women and girls and programmes that challenge toxic online cultures.
Read ways women and girls can stay safe online:
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Say "Hello!" to Jolin Joseph (she/her)
Board Title: Board Member
Board Member Since: 2023
Why GECO? Because transformative change takes all of us.
Career Details: Feminist Evaluator and Researcher, Equality Fund
My core interests are taking down the patriarchy and thrifting. I bring this feminist energy to art, to cooking for community, and to raising and supporting young feminists.
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Human Rights Day - December 10
As Canadians, many of our human rights are protected in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Not everyone, however, is as privileged, and even in Canada, human rights are ignored. Even worse, people sometimes take these rights for granted.
This year's International Human Rights Day theme is, "Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials." The aim is to re-engage people with human rights by showing how they shape our daily lives, often in ways we may not always notice.
Human Rights begin with us - with the small, everyday choices we make from treating others with respect, speaking up against unfairness, and listening to those whose voices are often ignored.
Human Rights Day is observed annually around the world on December 10. It commemorates the anniversary of one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Find out more about Human Rights Day on the UN website:
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"There can be no freedom for any of us while we remain chained to oppressive patterns."
— bell hooks
"Feminism is not about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It is about changing the way the world perceives that strength — and advocating fiercely until equity is no longer revolutionary but ordinary."
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Welcome to Our New Chair of Advocacy
We are proud to welcome Joanna Piatkowski (she/her) as GECO’s new Chair of Advocacy.
Joanna is a gender-based violence and social justice professional with over a decade of experience in trauma-informed education, policy development, and community collaboration. Her work has helped advance meaningful change across communities, including contributing to the declaration of intimate partner violence as an epidemic in Oxford County, integrating GBV into community safety planning, and installing purple benches as visible symbols of awareness and support.
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She also actively supports Indigenous-led reconciliation efforts and community education, grounding her work in the belief that strong communities are built on respect, connection, and collective care. We look forward to meeting the Advocacy Committee as Joanna begins onboarding members and shaping the priorities of this vital portfolio. The first committee meeting will be taking place soon.
Get to know Joanna – quick fun facts:
- Lifting heavy things is her happy place (fitness is her jam)
- Loves trivia and board games — fiercely competitive, regardless of skill level
- A little witchy and astrology-curious (retrogrades are always on her radar)
- English is her third language; currently learning French with help from her kiddo
- Feels most like herself on a trail or by the lake
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Newsletter Statement – GECO
GECO mourns the loss of welder and tradeswoman Amber Czech, whose life was tragically taken while working on a jobsite in Minnesota.
Amber’s death is a devastating reminder that workplace safety extends far beyond tools and procedures — it includes cultural responsibility, accountability, and a firm commitment to preventing gender-based violence. No worker should fear for their life simply for showing up to do their job.
This tragedy reflects a broader and deeply troubling reality: women in male-dominated industries continue to face heightened risks, harassment, and violence in environments that too often fail to intervene or protect.
As an organization committed to gender equity and workplace safety, GECO calls for stronger protections, clear reporting systems, mandatory training, and real consequences when warning signs are ignored. Creating safer worksites must be a shared responsibility across industries, unions, employers, and leadership.
We extend our deepest condolences to Amber’s family, loved ones, and community. We honour her memory by reaffirming our commitment to safer, more inclusive workplaces where every worker is treated with dignity and respect.
Amber’s life mattered. Her name will not be forgotten. Her story must be a turning point.
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Advocacy Spotlight: City of London
GECO continues to actively advocate with the City of London to strengthen municipal policies that protect workers, advance gender equity, and uphold human rights. Our efforts focus on addressing systemic gaps in safety, accountability, and inclusion, particularly for women and gender-diverse individuals navigating male-dominated spaces.
We are pushing for:
- Stronger workplace violence prevention measures
- Trauma-informed reporting processes
- Intersectional equity policies at the municipal level
- Meaningful consultation with community-led organizations
This advocacy work reflects our ongoing commitment to creating safer, more responsive systems that centre lived experience and prioritize prevention over reaction. We will continue to keep our community updated as this work progresses.
GECO remains steadfast in its role as a collective voice for justice, safety, and systemic change.
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Speaker's Series - Queer Elders
Wednesday, December 3, 7:00 PM
53 Hiawatha Street, St Thomas
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Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario is excited to present the third Speaker's Series on Wednesday, December 3 at 7:00 PM. This month’s topic is "Queer Elders" and features 3 speakers. This is a free, in-person event at 53 Hiawatha Street in St Thomas. Don’t miss out on some excellent insight!
Meet the Panel:
- Neil Hubert
- Hallie Abram
- Sister Patricia Derouin
- Devon Church (Moderator)
Registration via Eventbrite is required for this FREE event.
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Grand Opening Celebration
Wednesday, December 3, 6:00 PM
53 Hiawatha Street, St Thomas
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We are absolutely delighted to announce that Rainbow Connections—an initiative of the Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario—is officially opening a brand-new drop-in community hub!
Help us celebrate! Meet the Rainbow Connections team and find out all about the new Drop-in Hub.
Join us for "Walking Tacos," and soft drinks!
Help us take a moment to say HUGE shout out and thank you to United Way, Elgin Middlesex and to Rainbow Optimist for supporting this initiative.
Registration via Eventbrite is required for this FREE event.
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Drop-in Hub OPENS!
Wednesday, December 3, 2-5 PM
15 St Catharine Street, Unit 305
St Thomas
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The vision of Rainbow Connections is to provide a safe, welcoming, and affirming space for queer, questioning, and trans youth and young adults.
This vibrant, new location will serve as a drop-in centre, offering valuable resources, supportive programming, and above all, a place where young people can feel truly seen, respected, and celebrated.
This milestone is more than just opening a door—it’s about opening hearts and creating a community where every young person knows they belong, ensuring that everyone has a place where they are welcomed, empowered, and free to be themselves.
The Hub will be open Monday to Thursday from 2 to 5 PM after December 3. Please note, we'll be closed for the Christmas Break from December 22 to January 2.
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Christmas Tree Spectacular
Fri, Sat & Sundays until Dec 28
Elgin County Railway Museum
225 Wellington Street, St Thomas
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Rainbow Connections is getting into the holiday spirit! We've sponsored a Christmas Tree for the Community Christmas Tree Spectacular.
Celebrate the holidays with dazzling lights, festive activities, and family traditions at Elgin County Railway Museum’s Community Christmas Tree Spectacular. Admission by donation.
If you spot our rainbow tree, be sure to post a photo and tag us: Instagram & Facebook @rainbowconnectionsgeco
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All-Ages Karaoke Party
Tuesday, December 30, 6-8 PM
Contact Us for Location
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By popular demand, Rainbow Connections is hosting an All-Ages Karaoke Party during the Christmas Break.
Join us on Tuesday, December 30 from 6-8 PM for snacks, a card exchange, and KARAOKE! No registration is required for this FREE event.
Rainbow Connections welcomes members of all three social groups - Queer Qlub, Young Adult Social, and Queer Adult Social - to our end-of-year event! Not a member of Rainbow Connections, yet? There's plenty of time to become one! Click the button below to join and find out the location of the party.
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Are you a
Queer or Trans youth living in rural Southwestern Ontario?
Do you know
someone who is?
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Rainbow Connections
December 2025 Events for Youth:
Week 1: QQ - Perler Beads
Week 2: QQ - Card Making
Week 3: QQ - Movie Night
Week 4: YAS- Chill & Chat
Week 5: All-Ages - Karaoke Party
Rainbow Connections is a GECO program in partnership with Rainbow Optimists and funded by United Way. This program creates two safe community space for Trans and Queer youth: Queer Qlub for those ages 12-18 and Young Adult Club for those 19-30.
Queer Adult Social:
Queer Adults aged 18+ are welcome to join us on the second Thursday of each month (Thursday, December 11) at 53 Hiawatha Street, St Thomas, from 6-8 PM. No registration required.
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ConnectHER
TAKE THE SURVEY!
This survey is a chance for people at all levels of skilled trades - from leadership and management to supervisors, job crews, and apprentices - to share their perspectives. Your input will help us better understand the barriers, challenges, and opportunities facing women in the trades and highlight what's working, what needs to change, and how industry and tradespeople can move forward together.
| Are you passionate about skilled trades and eager to be a part of a supportive community that helps you thrive? Whether you're just starting out or an experienced tradesperson, our ConnectHER trades community is the perfect fit for you! | | | | | | |
