General

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

International Men’s Day is an opportunity for people everywhere to celebrate the men in their lives and the contributions they make to the greater good. It is also used to highlight social issues faced by men and boys, and to feature male role models.

Diwali is the biggest holiday in India, known as the festival of lights, and celebrated by Hindus worldwide. It symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. During the 5-day celebration, temples, homes, shops and office buildings are brightly lit with lights and candles.

The purpose of Remembrance Day, which marks the end of World War I in 1918, is to remember the fallen on both sides of that war. On Remembrance Day, Canadians pause to honor the people, who have served and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict, and peace. The poppy is the symbol of Remembrance Day due to a Canadian physician and poet who noticed how quickly poppies had grown over the graves of soldiers who had died during the Battle of Ypres.

A day to honor traditional Japanese culture and promote the love of freedom and peace that is enshrined in the Japanese constitution.

Halloween is celebrated each year on October 31, with children dressing in costumes and going door-to-door collecting candies. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.     

Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, focuses on the central themes of atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with an approximate 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer.

Rosh Hashanah means "head of the year" in Hebrew. It is a time for reflection and repentance and is referred to as the "day of judgment" or the "day of repentance." One of the most significant rituals of the holiday is the blowing of the shofar or ram's horn.

Traditionally a holiday to give thanks for the food collected at the end of the harvest season. For many people, it is valued as a time that extended families are able to come together and spend a day engaging with one another in a very intentional way.

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.