Gender and 2SLGBTQIA+ Services

A diverse group of six people sitting together at a table having a discussion and taking notes

Gender and 2SLGBTQIA+ Services

The Gender and 2SLGBTQIA+ Services team works to promote inclusion and advance equity for women and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across the municipality. The focus is to create safer, more inclusive spaces within the municipality and in the services provided to residents.

Beyond strategy, the Gender and 2SLGBTQIA+ Services team supports gender equity through:
•    Advising on inclusive policies and practices
•    Providing training and resources on Gender-Based Analysis Plus and 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion
•    Building and maintaining ongoing relationships with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across the municipality to inform inclusive policies, programs, and services.
•    Supporting community engagement and partnerships

The goal is to ensure everyone can access municipal services and opportunities without barriers related to gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.

What’s the next step?

The Gender and 2SLGBTQIA+ Services team is using what they heard from women and gender-diverse community members to help shape the new municipal Equity and Anti-Hate Strategy. This strategy will tackle systemic hate, inequity, and racism in the public sector.

Our Gender and 2SLGBTQIA+ Services team will focus on discrimination based on gender and sexuality. This work is an important step toward removing systemic barriers in municipal policies and programs.

The team’s goal is to create a practical guide that aligns with the Diversity and Inclusion Framework. We want this strategy to help the municipality move closer to gender equality and build more inclusive services by reducing barriers connected to gender identity, gender expression, and other parts of who people are, such as ability, race, age, immigration status, language, and income. The initiative emphasizes that everyone benefits when all individuals have meaningful and equal access to opportunities and resources.

For more information, please contact diversity@halifax.ca

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence

To learn more about gender-based violence and what you can do to help end it, explore the resources below.

Dial 211 if you have concerns about the safety and well-being of yourself or others. 

211 is a free, confidential information and referral service that can help connect you with the community and social services you need.  

Operating 24/7, they can help you locate thousands of programs offered by local community groups, nonprofits, and government departments across Nova Scotia.

Day 1: What is gender-based violence (GBV)?

Gender-based violence happens when someone is harmed because of their gender, gender identity, gender expression, or how others see their gender. It is rooted in power imbalances and harmful gender norms.

Gender-based sexual violence can take many forms, including:

  • Physical violence
  • Sexual violence
  • Emotional or psychological abuse
  • Financial control or abuse

Learn more: 

Day 2: How men can help end gender-based violence 

Did you know?

93% of gender-related homicides were committed by a man who is an intimate partner or family member of the victim?

But men also play a key role in helping to end gender-based violence. Here’s how:

  1. When harmful jokes are made, don’t just laugh, speak up about comments, or behaviour.
  2. Challenge outdated and harmful stereotypes around masculinity and femininity.
  3. Speak up and report harmful content online.
  4. Support survivors without blaming or minimizing.
  5. Model respect, set boundaries, ask for consent, and treat others with dignity.
  6. Know where to get help: Call 211 for information about local shelters, and support services. Share this info when someone needs it.
  7. Promote inclusion: Advocate for gender diversity in workplaces and leadership.
  8. Lead by example: Show that masculinity can include empathy, respect, and accountability.

211 is a free, confidential information and referral service that can help connect you with the community and social services you need.

Day 3: Women and gender-based violence 

Did you know?

  • 79% of domestic violence victims in Nova Scotia are women.
  • 44% of women in Canada have experienced intimate partner violence.
  • The demand for women’s shelters has increased 182% since 2019.

How you can help: 

  • Donate to or volunteer at organizations that support women experiencing gender-based violence.
  • Learn about how you can stand up to gender based violence.

211 is a free, confidential information and referral service that can help connect you with the community and social services you need.  

Learn more:

Day 4: 2SLGBTQIA+ and gender-based violence 

Gender-based violence harms 2SLGBTQIA+ people too.

  • 67% of lesbian, gay, bisexual women, + have experienced intimate partner violence.
  • Transgender or non-binary people in Canada are more likely to experience unwanted sexual behaviours and online harassment.

Learn more about how you can combat gender-based violence against 2SLGBTQIA+ people through the resources below.

Day 5: Indigenous people and gender-based violence 

Indigenous women face significantly higher levels of gender-based violence than the general public. However, Indigenous people across turtle island are finding resistance and collective care. Explore the links below to learn more.

The Moosehide Campaign

The Moosehide Campaign is an organization with a “commitment to take action and honour of women and children everywhere, and a symbol of honouring Indigenous medicine and belonging that is here to stay”. Explore their site for tools, resources, and education on ending gender-based violence against Indigenous women.

Looking for support?

Visit this webpage for a 24/7 Indigenous support line.

211 is a free, confidential information and referral service that can help connect you with the community and social services you need.   

Day 6: Francophone and French gender-based violence 

TBD

Day 7: Youth and gender-based violence 

Did you know?

  • Gender-based violence impacts people of all ages, including youth.
  • 45% of teenagers over the age of 15 experienced dating violence.

Visit the links below to learn more about how you can talk to youth about gender-based violence.

Day 8: Recognizing the signs of gender-based violence

10 possible warning signs of gender-based or intimate partner violence or abuse

Has your partner ever:

  1. Insulted or humiliated you, in private or in front of others? 
  2. Controlled how you dress, spend money, or practice your beliefs? 
  3. Monitored your location, communications, or social media? 
  4. Told you who you can or cannot talk to or spend time with? 
  5. Blamed you for their behaviour or made you feel responsible for their actions? 
  6. Used threats, spoken or silent, to scare or control you? 
  7. Used physical force or harmed others to intimidate you? 
  8. Threatened to harm you, themselves, or others if you leave? 
  9. Destroyed your belongings or blocked you from leaving the house? 
  10.  Showed up uninvited to places where you should feel safe, like work or social events? 

If these signs feel familiar, reach out for support. Help is available: 211 is a free, confidential information and referral service that can help connect you with the community and social services you need.  

For support, toolkits, and training on recognizing and responding to gender-based violence visit the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia.

Day 9: Gender-based violence resources within the Halifax Regional Municipality 

211 is a free, confidential information and referral service that can help connect you with the community and social services you need. 

Day 10: Films on gender-based violence 

Did you know that the National Film Board has a selection of films on gender-based violence?

Visit this website to explore their collection and learn more about gender-based violence and how we can all help end it.

Day 11: Disability and gender-based violence 

“People with disabilities face real barriers when seeking help after violence. They not have access to clear information, safe transportation, or income security. Many people with disabilities fear being institutionalized or not believed.”

You can help by:

  • Centering the voices of women and girls living with disabilities
  • Challenging harmful stereotypes about gender and disability
  • Advocating for changes to the causes of violence against women and girls with disabilities such as social isolation and stigma
  • Supporting organizations that work to address gender-based violence and disability rights

Resources:

Day 12: Remembering Ecole Polytechnique massacre 

On December 6, 1989, 14 women were murdered at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal in an act of misogynist violence.

This attack targeted women because they were women.

We remember them each year on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on violence against women.

  • Sonia Pelletier
  • Anne-Marie Edward
  • Anne-Marie Lemay
  • Annie St-Arneault
  • Annie Turcotte
  • Barbara Daigneault
  • Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz
  • Geneviève Bergeron
  • Hélène Colgan
  • Nathalie Croteau
  • Michèle Richard
  • Maud Haviernick
  • Maryse Leclair
  • Maryse Laganière

 Additional Resources: 

View the names of the women and Canada’s statement here.

Day 13: What the Halifax Regional Municipality is doing about gender-based violence 
  • New! Equity and Anti-Hate Strategy from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion coming in 2026
  • The Crisis Assistance and Response Team (CARE Team), is a community-based, trauma-informed alternative response team for residents experiencing distress related to substance use, mental health and well-being as well as conducting wellness checks.  The team helps broaden the spectrum of supports for non-emergency crisis and is delivered in partnership with 211 Nova Scotia and Souls Harbour Rescue Mission. 
  • Community Mobilization Teams (CMTs) help communities respond and recover after a violent or traumatic event. They bring together local residents, community organizations and the municipality. After an incident, CMTs coordinate support, share timely information and organize community debriefs to meet both individual and community needs. 
Day 14: What is rural gender-based violence 

Did you know?

Police reported intimate partner violence is 75% higher for women in rural communities than in urban communities.

What you can do

  • Check in on your neighbours
  • Look out for the warning signs of gender-based and intimate partner violence
  • Share community resources like 24/7 crisis lines and 211

Learn more gender-based violence in rural, remote, and northern (RRN) communities here.

Day 15: Technology’s role in gender-based violence 

Technology plays a role in gender-based violence, from normalizing violence against women, to being used as a tool for harassment and abuse.

Learn more about how online influencers and social media can impact youth’s views on women through White Ribbon’s video My Friend Max Hate.

White Ribbon’s campaign, My Friend Max Hate, exposes how these online personalities groom vulnerable boys and push them toward resentment, misogyny, and violence. The campaign aims to:  

  • Reveal the tactics used by harmful influencers.
  • Equip boys, men, parents, and educators with tools to recognize and resist hateful content.  
  • Promote a healthier view of masculinity based on respect, empathy, and equality.
  • Services for men & boys in Nova Scotia supplemental report.
Day 16: Behind the screen: gender-based violence in digital spaces

Gender-based violence does not only happen in person. It can happen online, too. Many warning signs are easy to miss.

Online red flags:

  • Friend requests from strangers.
  • Conversations that turn sexual quickly.
  • Pressure to move chats to private apps.
  • Being told to keep the relationship secret.
  • Use of technology to mock, threaten, or share private information.
  • Pressure to send intimate images or videos.
  • Partners violating digital privacy (e.g., not allowing texts or messages to be private, reading personal digital notes and documents, etc.).
  • Using tracking on apps to track their partner’s location.

Parents and guardians should watch for these behaviours of concern and potential signs of digital abuse and digital gender-based violence:

  • Avoids being away from their phone or computer.
  • Appears distressed when notifications pop up.
  • Hides their screen when others are nearby.
  • Receives anonymous gifts or virtual items.
  • Constantly checks messages or social media.

What you can do as a parent or guardian:

  • Discuss digital safety.
  • Report harmful behaviours to platforms and police.
  • Support survivors without judgement.
  • Create safe spaces for youth to share their experiences online.

Learn more above learning signs of technology-facilitated gender-based violence here.

Ways to keep learning 

Thank you for joining us in 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.

Ending gender-based violence is everyone’s responsibility, all year.

Keep learning with the resources below and take the pledge to stand against gender-based violence here.

Resources 

211 - Dial 211 if you have concerns about the safety and well-being of yourself or others. 211 is a free, confidential information and referral service that can help connect you with the community and social services you need.  Operating 24/7, they can help you locate thousands of programs offered by local community groups, nonprofits, and government departments across Nova Scotia.