NFU Declares Intimate Partner Violence and Gender-Based Violence an Epidemic
On November 20, 2025, delegates at the National Farmers Union annual convention voted to recognize intimate partner violence and gender-based violence (IPV/GBV) as an epidemic. On this day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we need our public leaders to commit to a systemic, cross-Canada response to address the root of the problem and to provide survivors with the resources they need.
“The NFU’s acknowledgement of IPV/GBV as an epidemic is not just symbolic – it helps to bring IPV/GBV out of the shadows,” says Summer Hansell, vice-president of the NFU’s Women’s Caucus. “By making this declaration the NFU aims to make it clear that IPV/GBV is a societal problem and we all have a role to play in raising awareness of and taking steps to stop IPV/GBV.”
IPV/GBV is a pervasive issue in Canada, and across the globe. While GBV refers to any type of harm that is directed against an individual based on their gender identity or perceived gender, IPV is characterized by a pattern of harmful behaviour in an intimate relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over a partner. This type of abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological. IPV/GBV can affect people of all genders, socioeconomic, racial, educational, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds though women are significantly more likely to experience abuse in this form. For example, 44% of women in Canada have experienced IPV, while the rates are higher for Indigenous women (61%), women living in poverty (57%) and women with disabilities (55%).
IPV is a problem that impacts rural communities disproportionately. For example, a report presented to the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women in 2022 stated that the rate of reported IPV against rural women in Ontario is 598/100,000 compared to 378/100,000 in urban Ontario. People affected by both IPV and GBV in rural areas are more isolated from resources such as shelters, counselling services and legal support. Language barriers and lack of culturally competent resources can further hinder access to support for people of colour and immigrant survivors. Furthermore, rural communities tend to be more interconnected and close-knit, which can lead to a lack of privacy for survivors, deterring them from accessing the resources they need.
The declaration of IPV/GBV as an epidemic highlights how widespread IPV/GPV is throughout Canada, and increases awareness of the problem. It reframes the issue from a private, domestic issue to a widespread societal problem and a public health crisis, demanding action from all of us as well as a systemic, coordinated response from governments. And finally, the classification of ‘epidemic’ can provide access to specific funding streams that offer much-needed resources for underfunded organizations across Canada, specifically in rural areas.
IPV/GBV is not only an issue in Canada, but across the globe. November 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. According to a United Nations (UN) report published in 2024, every day 140 women or girls die at the hands of their partner or a relative, which equates to one woman or girl every ten minutes. Furthermore, the global rise of the far-right is fuelling a growing conservatism that is undermining women’s fundamental human rights. Other crises, like climate change, food insecurity, economic instability, conflict and war, are all eroding progress towards gender equality. According to UN Women, at the current pace, it could take nearly 300 years to achieve gender equality.
Gender equality and feminist liberation are crucial elements of food sovereignty. La Via Campesina, a sister organization to the NFU, calls for collective action to be taken to eliminate violence against women. More information can be found at this link. Women are guardians of life, they are deeply involved in food production, they feed their communities, and they do necessary care work for the sustainability of communities across the globe. They play a crucial role in the struggle for food sovereignty, a global movement which enshrines the right of people to have control over their food and agricultural systems. It is therefore imperative that we name the violence that is committed against women and collectively mobilize to end it.
On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, it is time for our municipal, provincial and federal governments to play their roles, and commit to providing the resources that our communities need to address root causes and ensure essential support for survivors.
By: The National Farmers Union Women’s Caucus
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For more information, please contact:
Sarah Marquis (Outreach Strategist, NFU): marquis@nfu.ca
Ann Slater (NFU Women’s Caucus Member): aslater@quadro.net
