Saturday December 13, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The annual 16-day campaign about awareness around gender-based violence has wrapped up for another year.
BC Attorney General Niki Sharma says the campaign is a reminder of “what too many women are already aware of”, i.e. that intimate partner and sexual violence remain pervasive and drastically under reported.
Jennifer Blatherwick, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, has provided a summary of the important role of her office which was first established in 2018.
Statement: Jennifer Blatherwick, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity
December 10, 2025
“The Gender Equity Office, established in 2018 within the Ministry of Finance, is dedicated to advancing equity for all British Columbians, regardless of gender or gender expression. By building partnerships across government and communities, the office works to address the root causes of gender-based violence and the barriers faced by women, girls and gender-diverse people. This has included the development and administration of B.C.’s Pay Transparency Act.
By positioning the work of the Gender Equity Office within the Ministry of Finance, it effectively leverages cross-government expertise and resources to tackle systemic issues. This includes leading initiatives such as the Gender-Based Violence Action Plan, released in December 2023, which strengthens and coordinates efforts across ministries. The Ministry of Finance was selected as it offers central access to every ministry in the B.C. public service.
Recognizing that Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, newcomers, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and people with disabilities often face disproportionate barriers, the office takes an intersectional approach to its work. It also supports ministries in applying gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) to policies, programs, and services, ensuring government decisions reflect diverse experiences and advance equity. The Gender Equity Office leads course development on GBA+, which is now essential learning for all B.C. public servants.
The Gender Equity Office also leads coordination with the federal government and other provinces and territories on gender equity, acknowledging that systemic inequities are shared challenges across jurisdictions.”
===== RELATED:
- Gender equity BC: the portfolio, public education about missing women, men in society (December 9, 2025)
- Insights & declarations: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (December 6, 2025)
- Dec 4 vigil at BC Parliament front steps for 36th Action on Violence against Women (December 4, 2025)
- NEWS SECTIONS: 45th PARLIAMENT OF CANADA | 43rd PARLIAMENT of BC | WOMEN IN SOCIETY