Submission ID 118520
| Issue/Objective | African Nova Scotians (ANS) face longstanding systemic barriers in accessing equitable health and social services - particularly in response to gender-based violence. These barriers are especially pronounced at the intersections of race, gender, and class. Our team hosted Kitchen Table Talks during the COVID-19 pandemic to centre the lived experiences of ANS community members in discussions about access to culturally responsive care in response to gender-based violence. Our analysis, grounded in Africentric Canons, sought to gather insights to inform culturally responsive, equitable service delivery in Nova Scotia. |
|---|---|
| Methodology/Approach | Using a community-led, participatory dialogue model, the KTT sessions were hosted across ANS communities. The sessions ran over several months and included a diverse cross-section of 40 participants-youth, elders, women, men, caregivers, and service users. They were encouraged to engage in dialogue about their encounters with the health and social service systems. Discussions were facilitated by research assistants who were members of the communities. Interviews were recorded and transcripts were analyzed thematically through Africentric canons using the NVivo software. |
| Results | Participants-especially Black women and caregivers-shared experiences of systemic neglect, provider bias, and mental health stigma. Gendered expectations often placed the burden of care on women without adequate support. Mistrust in healthcare institutions was high, with particular concern about the lack of culturally and gender-competent care providers. However, relationships with other Black women social workers were frequently named as trusted and empowering relationships. Key themes included a desire for self-governance in service design and delivery, culturally grounded mental health supports, and greater investment in ANS community infrastructure. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | The Kitchen Table Talks underscore the urgent need for service models that reflect the values, strengths, and priorities of African Nova Scotian communities. Africentric canons offer a transformative framework for building trust and addressing the unique health needs of ANS women and gender-diverse people. Investing in Black-led, culturally-conscious programming and accountability mechanisms within institutions is key to equitable policy reform. These insights contribute to broader strategies that advance gender equity and health justice, with potential to scale through sustained, community-led partnerships. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Ash Hariharan Dalhousie University Shirley Hodder Dalhousie University Ash Hariharan Dalhousie University Shirley Hodder Dalhousie University |
