On November 21st, 2025, Aura Freedom and Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke once again collaborated to co-host and convene survivors, advocates, community members, government officials, and allies at Toronto City Hall for our annual Wrapped in Courage Flag Raising.
Together, we stood in solidarity to honour survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and to call urgent attention to the ongoing femicide emergency in Canada. The flag raising marked the launch of this year’s 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence – serving as a powerful reminder that community action, survivor-centered advocacy, and sustained commitments from all levels of government are urgently needed.
Coinciding with the Flag Raising, Aura Freedom launched the second wave of our Behind Closed Doors campaign, bringing our pink door installation to the rotunda of City Hall to engage with attendees of the Flag Raising and others.
Explore our Behind Closed Doors campaign here
Naming the Femicide Emergency
Speakers from Aura Freedom, Women’s Habitat, and the City of Toronto highlighted the grave reality that gender-based violence is an emergency, one that results in a woman or girl violently killed every 48 hours in Canada. This year’s messaging emphasized recognizing and naming femicide clearly, acknowledging its root causes, and confronting the painful truth that women and girls in Canada are most often killed by the men closest to them. The gathering was not only an act of solidarity but a collective call for awareness, accountability, and an end to silence in the face of escalating violence.
Our GBV Flag Raising and Behind Closed Doors pink door installation at Toronto City Hall
What We Heard From Our Community
Feedback from the event reflected strong support and a profound emotional impact. When asked how important events like this are for the everyday person in Canada, the response from attendees was overwhelmingly high. When asked whether community events addressing GBV, intimate partner violence, and femicide make a difference, all attendees said yes.
One attendee shared, “The speakers that shared real-life stories rather than just theory were absolutely brave, courageous, and powerful.”
This feedback reaffirms that public education, survivor-led advocacy, and community gatherings remain essential tools in ending GBV and femicide.
Behind Closed Doors at City Hall
From November 20 to 26, 2025, hundreds of visitors experienced Aura Freedom’s “Behind Closed Doors” installation, which was featured in the Rotunda of Toronto City Hall. Our symbolic Pink Door installation illuminated the hidden yet pervasive nature of GBV and femicide occurring within homes across the country. The Pink Doors served as a powerful call to action, encouraging the public to open conversations about femicide, challenge the normalization of violence in private spaces, and advocate for stronger prevention and protection measures. We were glad to see these efforts recognized in mainstream media, bringing the realities of gender-based violence and femicide to the forefront.
Watch a Behind Closed Doors Feature on Global News Here
Powerful Moments From Visitors
Throughout the week, the installation generated reflection, learning, and connection. Several visitors shared their thoughts, including one man who described the issue as “a genocide,” and a city staff member who emphasized “the importance of asking questions and learning rather than making assumptions”. Another visitor expressed appreciation for the work Aura Freedom does, while a survivor advocate spoke about systemic barriers, noting that “financial strain and the court process remain significant obstacles for survivors”. A mother and City worker picked up our educational resources and shared that she would be taking this home to her husband, unsure whether he understood just how pervasive this violence is. Numerous folks came to the installation, taking pictures and resources to share with loved ones, finding this campaign as a medium to show support for the survivors in their lives. A woman passing through City Hall to pay a parking ticket stopped in her tracks at the sight of the Pink Doors and said simply, “Wow. Just… wow.” These interactions illustrate how deeply the installation resonated, prompting conversations and creating moments of understanding and awareness.
Taking Action Through Purple Ribbons
During the Flag Raising and throughout the installation, community members picked up purple ribbons to tie on their own doors as a simple yet powerful gesture of solidarity during the 16 Days of Activism – to open the conversations on femicide, and show an enduring commitment to making spaces behind closed doors safe for survivors, for women, and for all. Many brought ribbons back to their offices, homes, and communities, helping to extend the reach of the campaign across the city.
Our Advocacy Continues
Although the City Hall installation and Flag Raising have concluded, our 16 Days of Activism efforts continue. We encourage all Toronto residents and Canadians to stay engaged by tying a purple ribbon to their doors, sharing information about femicide using #BehindClosedDoors, supporting local shelters and organizations, talking openly about GBV and its root causes, and demanding policy change that protects survivors and prevents violence. Because we know that GBV is preventable. Femicide is preventable.
But prevention requires sustained recognition, investment, and collective action.
Thank you to everyone who joined us at City Hall for our Flag Raising, and supported the ‘Behind Closed Doors’ installation. Your presence, reflection, and commitment to survivors help move this work forward every day. Aura Freedom will continue raising our voices, raising awareness, and raising the flag until femicide is recognized, addressed, and ended.
