nova scotia government seeks applications for gender-based violence panel
4 minute read
nova scotia justice minister becky druhan speaks to media in march 2025.
ryan taplin
/
the chronicle herald
the provincial government is seeking nova scotians with experience and knowledge about gender-based violence to join a ministers’ engagement and advisory table.
“we want to see diverse perspectives from across the province, from all communities, to participate in the table,” justice minister becky druhan said in an interview.
“we know that gender-based violence affects and can affect anyone and everyone from all walks of life, and we want to make sure those broad perspectives are at the table,” druhan said.
“we also know there are underserved and under-represented communities that are disproportionately affected and we do want to make sure that we have representation from those as well.”
druhan and leah martin, the minister responsible for the advisory council on the status of women, put out the call thursday for up to 25 community members to join the panel that will meet four times a year to advise the government on approaches to prevent gender-based violence and support those affected.
“this is an opportunity to bring voices together from across the province, especially those on the front lines and those with lived experience,” druhan said.
“when we listen directly to those doing the work and living the realities, we can better identify and take actions that lead to real change.”
advertisement
the table will work with representatives from l’nu affairs, african nova scotian affairs, the office of equity and anti-racism, the office of addictions and mental health, and the departments of opportunities and social development, health and wellness, and education and early childhood development.
druhan said that to assure diverse voices will be included, the goal is to make participation as accessible and barrier-free as possible.
“folks will be compensated with an honorarium and reasonable expenses for participation, and travel will be paid,” druhan said.
nova scotia justice minister becky druhan speaks to media in halifax in march 2025.
francis campbell
/
the chronicle herald
“we do encourage anyone who has an interest or experience, either lived experience or from a provider perspective or a community organization perspective, to put their name forward and if you have worries about how you may be able to participate or what accommodations are available, folks will be happy to chat about that.”
in september 2024, the provincial government passed a bill, introduced by the ndp, declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic in nova scotia.
since then, at least seven women have been killed by their intimate partners in the province.
the progressive conservative government’s 2025-26 provincial budget includes more than $100 million to address gender-based and intimate partner violence, including $17.8 million in core funding for transition houses and women’s centres, the highest core funding ever provided.
advertisement
the engagement table was announced in june to bring a group of representatives of frontline service providers and community organizations, survivors, family members and academic experts into an advisory role.
“these are really sensitive, challenging conversations and we want people to feel comfortable and safe to share their perspectives and their experiences,” druhan said of the panel meetings, the first of which is expected to take place in the fall.
“for that reason, the meetings themselves will be private and confidential but we also want to make sure that we are communicating with the community and nova scotians about the work that’s happening.”
meeting summaries will be posted afterward and the departments will be following up with progress reports.
protesters cross spring garden road as they rally against gender-based violence on wednesday, feb. 19, 2025.
ryan taplin
/
the chronicle herald
druhan said the government is hoping the call for applications will result in wide interest.
applications are open from thursday through sept. 5, and the minister said panel members will be selected in the coming weeks.
the members’ terms will be for two years, and druhan said there is no anticipated timeline of how long the table will convene.
“the goal is to end gender-based violence but we know this is a complex and entrenched issue. our focus right now is really pulling together the table and getting it up and running and drawing from the insights and the synergies that are created at the table to inform the work that (government does) and the investments that we make and to make sure that the work and those investments are targeted in ways that make the best impact.”
advertisement
druhan said the table is about creating a synergy that focuses work already underway.
“to be clear, there is an incredible amount of really great work that is happening in community with organizations and individuals,” the minister said. “currently, the provincial government spends about $100 million a year on addressing gender-based violence, and this table is really pulling people together with broad experiences to help focus and direct that work.
“this by no means represents all of the work that is underway. all of that other great work will continue.”
druhan said four meetings a year will suffice because preparation and followup to the meetings will continue throughout the year.
“the time is not just limited to those four meetings.”
the minister encourages anyone interested to apply or seek further information at novascotia.ca/ministers-table-gender-based-violence.
share story
