Purple Ribbon Flag Raised at Confederation Building to Mark 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence

November 25, 2025

Today, the Honourable Tony Wakeham, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Helen Conway Ottenheimer, Minister of Women and Gender Equality, joined families and friends who have lost loved ones due to gender-based violence for a flag-raising and proclamation-signing event to mark the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, also known as the Purple Ribbon Campaign.

The Premier and Minister were also joined by the Honourable Lela Evans, Minister of Health and Community Services, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and Minister of Labrador Affairs; and the Honourable Andrea Barbour, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation.

The Purple Ribbon Campaign officially starts on November 25 each year (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and concludes on December 10 (World Human Rights Day).

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s violence prevention efforts are grounded in multi-departmental, government-community partnerships, focused on finding long-term solutions to the problem of gender-based violence.

This year’s Purple Ribbon ceremony included memorial banners of women and girls connected to this province whose lives were tragically taken. These women and girls will be forever loved.

With the permission of their families, those recognized today included:

• Ann Marie Lucas – Stephenville Crossing
• Elizabeth O’Quinn – St. George’s
• Victoria Head – Placentia
• Deidre Michelin – Rigolet, Nunatsiavut
• Chrissy Predham – Ottawa
• Cortney Lake – Mount Pearl
• Dana Bradley – St. John’s
• Judy Benoit – Port au Port
• Juliane Hibbs – Conception Bay South
• Loretta Saunders – Happy Valley-Goose Bay
• Quinn Butt – Paradise
• Samantha Walsh – Fleur De Lys
• Chantel John – Miawpukek First Nation (Conne River)
• Kimberley Jararuse – Nain, Nunatsiavut

The memorial banners are of no cost to families, and others wishing to have one created in memory of a loved one are encouraged to contact the Office of Women and Gender Equality at: wgeinfo@gov.nl.ca, or by calling 709-729-2987.

The Purple Ribbon flag will fly on the courtesy pole outside of Confederation Building for the 16 days of activism. This evening, the building will be lit purple in honor of those who have lost their lives, and to help raise awareness about gender-based violence throughout the province.

Quotes
“Gender-based violence is not only a personal tragedy for survivors and families, it is a profound social issue that reaches into every community and demands not just our awareness, but our action, our accountability, and our support. Our new government is committed to building safer communities, strengthening supports for survivors and addressing the root causes of gender-based violence. From the Island of Newfoundland and throughout Labrador, this is work we must do together, and I am grateful to be part of this important conversation.”
Honourable Tony Wakeham
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Our new government is committed to strengthening prevention and educational efforts, supporting survivors and challenging attitudes that allow gender-based violence to continue. Preventing and ending gender-based violence is not the responsibility of a few, it is the responsibility of all of us. We must work together. We must speak up. We must act.”
Honourable Helen Conway Ottenheimer
Minister of Women and Gender Equality

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Learn more
16 Days of Activism

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