We are in the midst of an emergency.
The second annual Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Summit, organized by a collective of advocates and organizations, sold out in record time—because people know we are at a breaking point. But selling out a summit is not a victory. The real measure of progress is lives saved, harm prevented, and systems changed. And right now, we are failing.
In September, the Province officially declared intimate partner violence (IPV) an epidemic through Bill 482. Yet since that declaration, seven women in Nova Scotia have been killed by their intimate partners. Seven lives stolen. Families shattered. Communities grieving. The structures that allow this violence to continue remain intact, and for marginalized communities, the risks are even greater.
This is not a future problem—it is a crisis happening now. We can no longer wait.
Related
Breaking the silence on a Nova Scotia epidemic
Building Momentum: Collaboration for Change
Since the last summit, working groups have convened across sectors, bringing together those who are ready to act. These efforts, guided by landmark reports, point to one unavoidable truth: collaboration is essential. Working in silos is costing lives. To create real change, we must forge new relationships, deconstruct outdated approaches, and commit to coordinated, strategic action.
A critical opportunity is before us—to harness our collective knowledge, expertise, and resources to dramatically reduce the prevalence of gender-based violence.
A Gathering for Progress
The 2025 Gender-Based Violence Summit provides a crucial space for individuals from diverse identities, roles, and communities across Nova Scotia to come together. This is not just a networking opportunity—it is a space to build real strategies, form alliances, and demand urgent, systemic action.
Key Objectives:
- Exposing the realities of GBV through a systemic, intersectional lens.
- Breaking the silence with lived experiences, research, and hard truths.
- Creating an inclusive space that prioritizes an ethic of care, cultural responsiveness, and trauma-informed approaches.
- Showcasing solutions—promising initiatives from across community, government, academia, health, justice, and advocacy sectors.
- Demanding the infrastructure and support needed for sustained, strategic partnerships and long-term change.
This summit is not just about talking—it is about mobilizing. It is about taking every conversation and turning it into tangible, life-saving action.
The call to action
The fight against GBV cannot be won with words alone. It requires a united front, where cross-sectoral collaboration fuels innovation, and action leads to society-wide change. The time for transformative change is now.
Nova Scotia cannot afford another day of inaction. The statistics are not just numbers; they represent human lives lost, preventable tragedies, and a collective failure to protect those at risk. We must move beyond discussions and into urgent, sustained action.
Join us by raising your voice. Demand change from our elected officials. Do not let another life be lost while we wait. Together, we must create a safer, more just Nova Scotia—starting now.
Liz LeClair is a gender-based violence advocate and activist based in Punamu’kwati’jk (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia). She volunteers with Can’t Buy My Silence and is a member of the gender-based violence coalition.
This article appears in Mar 1-31, 2025.
