Human Rights Day is observed every year December 10th — the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): a critical document that proclaimed the inalienable rights that everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is a day commemorated in Canada each December 6, the anniversary of the 1989 Montreal massacre in which armed student Marc Lepine murdered fourteen women and injured ten others simply because they were women. Commemorative events also recognize and honour women and children who continue to lose their lives due to domestic violence.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20, was set aside to recognize those who have been killed due to ignorance and hatred, targeted because they were trans or gender non-conforming. The first event took place in 1999 in San Francisco to honour Rita Hester, who had been brutally murdered the previous year.

October 18 is Persons Day in Canada. It marks the day in 1929 when the historic decision to include women in the legal definition of “persons” was handed down by Canada’s highest court of appeal. This gave women the right to be appointed to the Senate of Canada and paved the way for women's increased participation in public and political life.

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is celebrated every year on October 17th throughout the world. The first commemoration of the event took place in Paris, France in 1987 when 100,000 people gathered to honour victims of poverty and to work to sustainable solutions. 

October 4th is marked as National Day of Activism for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. On this day we stand in solidarity with Indigenous families and communities to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls whose lives have been cut short by violence.

The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") is observed around the world each year on 21 September. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.

Take Back The Night is the earliest worldwide movement to stand against sexual violence, especially violence against women.  TBTN Events began in the 1960’s in Belgium and England with protests about how women were not able to be safe walking down the street alone.  The unifying theme of these events is to bring awareness to sexual violence and provide support for victims.

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is observed on August 9th each year to raise awareness and protect the rights of the world’s Indigenous population. This event also recognizes the achievements and contributions that Indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection among other things.

World Day against Trafficking in Persons is held on July 30th as an annual event. People trafficking and modern day slavery is a massive worldwide problem with very few countries immune to human trafficking, and the event by the United Nations is to raise awareness and increase prevention of that.

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Canadian Constitution recognizes these three groups as Aboriginal peoples, also known as Indigenous peoples.

The United Nations' (UN) World Refugee Day is observed on June 20 each year. This event honors the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homeland under threat of persecution, conflict and violence.

Elder abuse is a global social issue which affects the health and human rights of millions of older persons around the world, and an issue which deserves the attention of the international community.

The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 66/127, designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It represents the one day in the year when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted to some of our older generations

May 1st is a day to celebrate workers around the world who continue to struggle for genuine labour rights and economic justice. Workers are demanding the right to accessible, affordable healthcare, child care, education, to employment benefits and a pension, to safe working conditions and a living wage.

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid pass laws.

In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating 8 March as International Women's Day. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. For the United Nations, International Women's Day has been observed on 8 March since 1975. The Day is traditionally marked with a message from the Secretary-General.