It is Pink Shirt Day - and a day to stand up against bullying.

The annual event - which began in Canada - is held on the third Wednesday in February, when people wear a pink-coloured shirt to stand against bullying.

Pink Shirt Day began in Nova Scotia in 2007 when a pair of grade 12 students, who were standing up for a younger boy who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school, wore pink and encouraged others to do the same.

It’s grown into a world-wide initiative since then.

The emblem for this year’s national event comes from an Island student.

Koyah Morgan-Banke designed the emblem - two hands holding a heart and the words “Be Kind” - as part of a national contest. She’ll also get the chance to speak today at a Pink Shirt Day event in Victoria.