Women, gender non-binary, racially and culturally diverse people, and those living with disabilities, are regularly targeted by sexist and racist harassment, discrimination and sometimes threats or even violence, when they run for public office. This can dissuade them from running at all and puts them in danger when they do. This behaviour, both in-person and on-line can persist, even among colleagues, when in office. If we do not have diversity and safety in our elected offices, we are neither upholding human rights nor achieving democratic and representative governments.
The Violence & Harassment in Politics (VHIP) Working Group is focused on raising awareness about sexual harassment, misogyny and racism in the political process and strategies to address it before and during elections, as well as when serving in office. Efforts are backed by recommendations from recent gender-based violence-related reports including:
The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & 2 Spirit People and calls to address the political marginalization and need for increased representation of Indigenous women and 2 Spirit people in governance and leadership positions including elected office.
The National Action Plan to End Gender Based Violence which recognizes the need for training for legislative members and political staff.
This group is a part of the “Scaling the Summit” project coordinated by Be the Peace Institute and funded by the NS Status of Women Office. Funding was provided to follow up on strategic actions from the priority conversations that took place at the IWD Summit in March of 2024 (co-hosted by Be the Peace Institute and Leeside Society). That event included over 150 people with a stake in preventing and ending gender-based violence (GBV) across sectors in Nova Scotia. The aim was to explore moving forward in some new, innovative ways.
Since then, several working groups have developed on specific topics identified as priorities in the intersection of GBV prevention and response. These are open groups made up of diverse members from across community, government, academia, and survivors including from under-represented/under-served communities and organizations. To date, we have been busy engaging with over 100 individuals from across diverse organizations directly or indirectly involved in the prevention and response to GBV in Nova Scotia through these working groups.
The VHIP group was initiated by Municipal Councillor, Kacy DeLong, who attended the 2024 IWD Summit and convened a conversation called “She Should Run!” acknowledging the need for greater gender parity in all levels of government in NS. Since then the group has grown to 29 members, many of whom have been meeting regularly throughout the year to raise awareness about sexual harassment, misogyny and racism in politics and develop and share strategies for public action.
Opportune partnerships developed with Tracey Raney, author and professor from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and Peggy Nash, former MP and instructor, who co-teach “Women in the House”, a course at TMU. Together with NS-based elected officials, current and former, and community based advocates, the group hosted a 3-part political panel (see below) on how to address this democratic threat:
Violence & Harassment in Politics 3-Part Panel Series
Panel 1: Political Representation: A History of Advocacy - Canada & Beyond
November 19th, 2024
Speakers: Tracey Raney, Courtney Clarke, (Equal Voice Canada), MP Leah Gazan
Panel 2: The NS Context - Diversity in Politics
December 3rd, 2024
Speakers: Mica Daurie (T.R.A.N.S.), Pam Lovelace (HRM Former Deputy Mayor), Professor and Elder Dr. Heidi Marshall, Kacy DeLong, (MODL Councillor), Senator Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard.
Panel 3: A Vision for Change: Calls to Action*
December 10th, 2024
Speakers: Joanne Hussey, Dr. Rebecca Major, MLA Elizabeth Smith McCrossin, Dr. Lynn Jones
[*this panel has had one of the panelists edited out due to a hacking incident for her security.]
Online Survey & Knowledge Sharing
The VHIP working group also created and launched an online survey to collect experiences & stories of harassment in politics for women, gender non-binary and racially and culturally diverse people while they are campaigning, when they are in office or what dissuaded them from entering politics. Survey findings informed a public awareness campaign & strategies for action on: sexism & misogyny; care responsibilities; and workplace safety.
Special thanks to Immigrant Migrant Women’s Association of Halifax, Second Story Women’s Centre, South Shore Sexual Health and Transition House Association of NS for their collaboration on this project.
To learn more about our findings —> click here.
And by theme:
Sexism & Misogyny
Future possibilities for VHIP include…
• Creation of website to house findings, share opportunities
• Report summary of survey fundings
• Publications of findings, recommendations and calls to action
• Broadening our public engagement
• Presentations to municipal government and related organizations on calls to action
Additional Resources:
Resources on Violence and Harassment in Politics/Creating More Inclusive Democratic Spaces
Gender-based Violence in Canadian Politics in the #MeToo Era, 2024. Edited by Tracey Raney & Cheryl Collier
Women Winning Office: An Activist’s Guide to Getting Elected, 2022. Peggy Nash
Participation from the following organizations to date:
Transition House Association of NS
Avalon Sexual Assault Centre
Kristina Fifield Trauma Therapy
Can’t Buy My Silence
Trans/Non-Binary Rights Advocacy NS Second Story Women’s Centre
Harbour House
South Shore Sexual Health
We Worthy Women
la Fédération des femmes acadiennes de la Nouvelle Écosse
YWCA Halifax
Immigrant Services Association of NS
Immigrant Migrant Women Association of Halifax
Association of Black Social Workers
Toronto Metropolitan University
MODL Municipal Councillors
Nisa Foundation
Lunenburg County Pride
Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre