December 1: World AIDS Day. The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988. World AIDS Day provides governments, national AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations, and individuals with an opportunity to raise awareness and focus attention on the global AIDS pandemic. World AIDS Day is about raising money, fighting prejudice and improving education. The World AIDS Day theme for 2010 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. World AIDS Day is important for reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done. For more information, click here.

December 3: International Day of Disabled Persons. It was initially proclaimed in 1992 to commemorate the anniversary of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons. The aim was to increase awareness of gains from the integration of disabled persons in every aspect of political, social economic and cultural life. This Day was set aside to promote understanding about disability issues. Various organisations nationally are hosting the event. For more information, click here.

December 6: Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. On this day in 1989, 14 women were murdered at the University of Montreal's School of Engineering for being "feminists". Marc Lepine, the murderer, blamed women students for his non-admission to the engineering school. The Canadian government declared December the 6^th "the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women". For more information, click here.

December 10: International Human Rights Day. On this day people around the world celebrate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It states the right of all people to "life, liberty and the security of person without distinction of any kind". The theme for Human Rights Day 10 December 2010 is human rights defenders who act to end discrimination. For more information, click here.

Sources:

• Womensnet
• FHR

Last Updated: 30 November 2010