Halifax – Living a life free from violence is a fundamental human right. Unfortunately, gender-based violence (GBV) continues to be a significant barrier to achieving gender equality in Canada. It is one of the most pervasive, deadly, and deeply rooted human rights violations of our time that affects people of all backgrounds, genders, and ages.
Lisa Hepfner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, and Jill Balser, Nova Scotia’s Minister Responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, announced a historic bilateral agreement. The federal government will be investing over $18.3 million over four years to support the implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence in Nova Scotia.
This comprehensive plan reflects our shared commitment to preventing gender-based violence, while empowering communities through community-led solutions. The Plan is focused on three priority areas: increasing prevention efforts; reaching underserved and at-risk populations; and stabilizing the gender-based violence sector.
Launched in November 2022 by Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers responsible for the Status of Women, the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence is a 10-year plan that sets a framework to have a Canada free of gender-based violence – a Canada that supports victims, survivors, and their families from coast to coast to coast. The National Action Plan is informed by over 1,000 recommendations from Indigenous partners, victims and survivors, frontline organizations, and experts.
This funding will support the work Nova Scotia is doing in addressing gender-based violence while developing and implementing culturally appropriate supports and services for Indigenous communities and African Nova Scotian communities. The Government of Nova Scotia, working alongside partners throughout the province, will build upon the extensive work already underway to increase awareness and prevention efforts, as well as enhance the services and supports for victims, survivors, underserved populations, and populations at-risk of experiencing GBV.
This announcement is among a series of bilateral agreements that have been signed between the federal government and provinces and territories. It is in addition to the funding provided to Nova Scotia last year to support crisis hotlines.
Coordinated and collaborative actions from federal, provincial, and territorial governments are key in effectively preventing and addressing gender-based violence. Provincial and territorial governments will continue working together in partnership with survivors, Indigenous partners, civil society, front-line service providers, municipalities, the private sector and researchers to implement the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence within their jurisdictions in a way that responds to the evolving needs and emerging issues of survivors and victims of GBV.
“One year ago, we signed the endorsement of the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence right here in Nova Scotia, and today’s announcement brings us one step closer to a future where everyone can live free from violence. By partnering with the provincial government, we are making sure that these supports are strong, culturally relevant and respond to the needs of communities in Nova Scotia.” – Lisa Hepfner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth