Breaking the cycle of gender-based violence

  • Posted: July 31, 2025

News release

July 31, 2025 Media inquiries

Alberta is advancing its 10-year strategy, Building on Our Strengths, by investing in programs that help men and boys prevent gender-based violence.

Alberta’s government is investing in prevention-focused initiatives to stop violence before it starts. One-time grants totalling $720,000 will support three community-led programs that promote healthy relationships, emotional well-being and positive role modelling among men and boys. These programs help create the necessary conditions for healing and long-term safety.

Gender-based violence affects people of all ages, genders and backgrounds across Alberta. With two in three women and one in three men experiencing sexual violence in their lifetime, there is a clear need to support prevention efforts that include and engage men and boys.

“Men and boys are key partners in our work to end gender-based violence and this funding strengthens programs that build safer communities for everyone. I am grateful to the front-line workers leading that change and helping to break the cycle of violence today.”

Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women

This investment delivers on Priority 2: Prevent gender-based violence before it begins, as outlined in Building on Our Strengths: Alberta’s 10-Year Strategy to End Gender-Based Violence. The strategy commits to supporting targeted prevention programs that engage and mobilize more men and boys as partners in stopping violence at its roots.

“Ending gender-based violence means engaging everyone – especially men and boys. Through our federal government’s National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, we’re proud to support Alberta’s efforts to create safe, supportive spaces where healing is nurtured and violence is stopped before it starts.”

Rechie Valdez, federal Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)

These programs go beyond prevention, offering safe, supportive spaces where men and boys can heal, grow and reconnect with their communities after experiencing violence. Trusted community organizations will deliver these services to those at risk of experiencing or committing harm.

“Preventing gender-based violence requires a collaborative approach including men. We are pleased to see the government support Men& now and in the future as part of its 10-Year Strategy. We look forward to using this investment to advance data-driven strategies to create a future free from domestic violence and abuse.”

Kim Ruse, CEO, Fear is Not Love Society

“Culturally rooted support for Indigenous men and boys is crucial to preventing gender-based violence. The Government of Alberta’s financial support of the I Am A Kind Man program helps Friendship Centres build capacity to be an essential catalyst for the development of respectful relationships founded on traditional values.”

Joanne Mason, CEO, Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association

“If we are going to be successful in preventing gender-based violence, we need to go upstream and stop the violence before it starts. This funding is supporting three rural Alberta communities to look closely at the social conditions that allow violence to take root – and identify how local leaders can help change those conditions to create safer, healthier communities.”

Reave MacLeod, co-acting CEO, YWCA Banff


In addition to this targeted grant, Alberta’s government continues investing more than $188 million in provincewide supports. This includes emergency shelters, safe transportation, legal assistance and other critical supports.

Quick facts

  • Men and boys are  by gender-based violence both as victims and perpetrators, with one-third of Canadian men experiencing some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime.
  • The $720,000 investment expands three ongoing community-led initiatives that engage men and boys in violence prevention. The grant recipients are:
    • Fear is Not Love Society – $280,000 ($210,000 in 2024–25, $70,000 in 2025–26)
    • Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA) – $200,000
    • Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Banff – $240,000
  • The grant includes $650,000 in federal funding for 2024–25 as part of the bilateral agreement under the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.

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