Urgent Call to Action: Addressing the Epidemic of Femicide in Nova Scotia
The most recent femicide in our province is a painful reminder of the persistent and devastating impacts of gender-based violence on individuals, families, and communities. This tragic loss highlights the urgent need to address the systemic conditions that enable such violence and to prioritize the safety and dignity of women and girls in our province.
Femicide is preventable. In 2024 alone, 172 women were victims of femicide in Canada, with seven of these lives lost in Nova Scotia. On average, a woman or girl is killed every other day in Canada, most often by men. These statistics are not just numbers; they represent lives unjustly taken, families grieving, and communities forever changed.
The services offered by THANS member organizations are a critical lifeline. In 2024, we supported approximately 4,500 women and children across Nova Scotia. This increasing demand reflects the escalating severity of violence women face, compounded by systemic barriers that continue to perpetuate harm.
To meaningfully address femicide and gender-based violence, we must focus on systemic change rooted in feminist principles and trauma-and violence-informed approaches. This means recognizing that all survivors deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, that they are experts in their own lives, and that systemic interventions must prioritize their safety, autonomy, and well-being.
The recommendations from the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission’s Final Report and the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence provide a pathway forward. These include:
- Increased operational funding for organizations addressing violence against women to ensure survivors have access to the services and supports they need.
- Accountability mechanisms for policing responses to intimate partner violence, ensuring justice systems operate with transparency and survivor-centered practices.
- Awareness and education initiatives to dismantle victim-blaming narratives and challenge the societal attitudes that normalize violence against women.
As UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous reminds us, “Behind every femicide statistic is the story of an individual woman or girl who has been failed. These deaths are preventable—the tools and the knowledge to do so already exist.” It is time to act on this knowledge and ensure that every woman and girl can live free from violence and fear.
We call on policymakers, community leaders, and all stakeholders to join us in implementing these solutions. Ending femicide is a shared responsibility, requiring collective action and sustained commitment.
If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out to the provincial toll-free line at 1-855-225-0220, available 24/7, or contact a local organization. Additional resources are available on our website at thans.ca. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.