Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women

06/01/2026

We all have a role to play in ending gender-based violence.

The Neighbours, Friends and Families training modules help people recognize the signs of intimate partner violence, respond safely and compassionately, and connect them to services and supports.

You can learn more and access the free training at:

To talk to someone who can help, call 1-855-225-0220Or contact a transition house or shelter for abused women in your area: www.thans.caCall 211 for resources near you, or to connect with the Men's, Women's, or All Genders helplines.

05/05/2026

May 5 is Red Dress Day, a day we honour and remember the lives of the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

The empty red dresses that hang in windows, public spaces and from trees that line our highways are powerful reminders of the ongoing and devastating impact of gender-based violence. Each dress represents a life stolen, a family shattered and a community left to grieve.

In Canada, and here in Nova Scotia, Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are disproportionately impacted by violence. As a province, we are committed to addressing this crisis with compassion and accountability. Guided by the Calls for Justice in the final report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, we are supporting Indigenous-led approaches to healing, listening to Indigenous-led voices to address the root causes of violence, and investing in the safety and well-being of Indigenous women and their families

05/05/2026

Join us at CORAH for a Bystander Workshop: “How Can I Help?”

Wendy Knowlton from The Women’s Place Resource Centre, will be at CORAH to present about: how to recognize the signs and types of abuse, how to support someone who may be in an unsafe relationship, and where to connect victims and survivors with local resources. 💜

🗓️️ Free event: Thursday, May 7, 2026
🕥 10:30–11:30 AM
🌟Location: CORAH Annapolis Valley Campus (Middleton)

📩 To register: [email protected]
📞 Or call: 902‑825‑5215

Women's Place Resource Centre
NSCC Annapolis Valley Campus & COGS

04/29/2026

On Denim Day, denim isn’t just a look, it’s a statement. It says that you stand with survivors and reject victim-blaming. What someone wears is never an excuse. Wear your denim. Use your voice. Support, believe, and advocate. Learn more here https://denimday.org/why-denim .

04/29/2026

Join us for our annual MMIWG2S+ Memorial March, hosted by the Violence Prevention and Human Trafficking Program.

📅 Tuesday, May 5 (Red Dress Day)
🕛 12:00 PM
📍 2021 Brunswick St, Halifax

We will begin with an opening prayer before marching through the surrounding blocks (see poster for route). Following the march, there will be drumming, speeches, and a community barbecue.

All are welcome to come together in remembrance, reflection, and solidarity.

03/08/2026

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is Give to Gain. It’s a reminder that when we invest in women, everyone benefits.

Give to Gain is about practical action. It calls on individuals, organizations and communities to invest in women – not just financially, but in meaningful ways, like mentorship, supporting women-owned businesses, promoting equal pay, and creating safe, inclusive workplaces. Because when we give to someone - or when we remove a barrier- the path becomes clearer for the next person. Every promotion earned, every seat claimed at the table, every woman mentored strengthens the foundation for those coming next.

02/22/2026

Today, February 22 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

Human Trafficking is when people are recruited, controlled, or moved by force or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labour. It can happen in any community. Recognizing the warning signs is one step to protecting and supporting those at risk.

Human traffickers don’t always look they way people expect – they can be someone the person knows and trusts – a boyfriend, a friend, family member or someone who offers opportunities, gifts, or support.

Warning signs of human trafficking can include sudden unexplained gifts, money, or expensive items; being secretive about where they’re staying and who they’re with; and sudden withdrawing from family, friends, or their usual activities; not having control over their own ID, passport, or money.

If you’re concerned someone may be at risk, know that you’re not alone. Help is available.
The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline is confidential and available 24/7 at 1-833-900-1010.

02/05/2026

01/22/2026

You are not alone. Help is available.
Visit nsdomesticviolence.ca to find resources and support. You can also call the 211 Men's, Women's, or All Genders Helplines. The helplines are available 24/7 and can connect callers to a number of supports and services specific to their needs.

01/20/2026

Control in a relationship is when one person tries to take charge of the other person’s life—telling them what to do, who they can see, or what they can wear. It can include using threats, guilt, or isolation to keep power over them. Often, it starts slowly and it is sometimes disguised as love or “concern,” but over time it takes away the other person’s independence.

Healthy relationships involve mutual respect, boundaries, and support - not power imbalance.

Visit stopGBV.ca to learn more about red flags in a relationship.