Opinion: Alberta unveils a plan to end gender-based violence: Now, let’s follow it

Gender-based violence is not only a serious social and public health issue — it’s a costly one. Research I co-led at the University of Calgary estimates it costs Albertans $1 billion every five yearsin today’s dollars, including expenses for health care, policing, child protection, lost productivity, and mental-health impacts. Investing in prevention isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s also the smart economic choice. Without action, the social and financial burden will only grow.

Here are three key steps Alberta must take to turn its commitments into measurable progress:

First, recognize women’s shelters and sexual assault centres as essential services and fund them accordingly to ensure effective support for survivors.

Next, the strategy must prioritize the prevention of male perpetration of violence. While it rightly identifies men and boys as key partners in ending gender-based violence, this recognition must be backed by targeted action. This is essential because the vast majority of gender-based violence in Alberta is perpetrated by men.

Third and crucially, there needs to be accountability mechanisms to ensure the strategy leads to real, measurable change.

Link to full story here.