News release

Increased Funding for Organizations That Support Women

Status of Women

The Province is providing $8 million to help organizations supporting women experiencing gender-based violence meet an increased demand for their services and address rising operating costs.

“Transition houses, women’s centres and other organizations provide critical support services to women experiencing gender-based violence and their children,” said Karla MacFarlane, Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women. “With additional funding, we are helping ensure these organizations are there to provide the best support to women in need.”

The additional funding will help the following:

  • Transition House Association of Nova Scotia is receiving $4 million to support programs focused on women and their families
  • nine transition houses and Naomi Society are each receiving a $100,000 one-time increase to their operational budgets, along with $100,000 each to provide more programming for men and boys, victims of human trafficking, cultural responsivity, and improve second stage housing
  • Women’s Centre Connect is receiving $1 million to support community-based programs focused on the prevention of gender-based violence and improving access to supports and resources
  • Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association and Jane Paul Indigenous Resource Centre are together receiving $250,000 to help with increased operating costs and provide localized programming
  • nine women’s centres and Alice House are each receiving $75,000 to help with rising operational costs.

In November 2022, the Province joined the Government of Canada along with other provinces and territories to endorse and announce Canada’s first National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. The plan aligns with the work of Standing Together, Nova Scotia’s commitment to preventing gender-based violence.

Quotes:

“Women’s centres across the province work tirelessly to support women and adolescent girls through early intervention, prevention services and public education. Today’s investment is a step in the right direction towards increased resources that will allow us to meet the growing demands we face.”

– Shelley Curtis-Thompson, Executive Director, Pictou County Women’s Resource and Sexual Assault Centre

Quick Facts:

  • today, March 8, is International Women’s Day
  • in 2022, 79 per cent of the victims in 1,666 domestic violence assaults reported to police were women
  • Nova Scotia has a range of women-serving organizations committed to the safety, well-being and prosperity of women in the province
  • the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia and Women’s Centres Connect are umbrella membership associations that provide leadership and support to several transition houses and women’s centres
  • the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia includes women’s shelters outside Halifax Regional Municipality

Additional Resources:

National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence: https://femmes-egalite-genres.canada.ca/en/ministers-responsible-status-women/national-action-plan-end-gender-based-violence.html

International Women’s Day website: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

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