Groupe solidarité justice May 8, 2025
A look at the 2025 annual meeting
Training
The annual meeting of Groupe Solidarité Justice, held on Saturday, April 26 at the Mother House, was attended by 14 participants.
Training took the form of a conversation on the evolution of women’s rights from the Bread and Roses March (1995) up to the sixth edition of the World March of Women (2025).
For this conversation, the group was accompanied by Marie-France Benoit, vice-president of Concertation des luttes contre l’exploitation sexuelle (CLE) and member of the international solidarity committee of Coordination du Québec de la Marche mondiale des femmes (CQMMF).
The following questions were addressed.
What advances do we recognize in terms of women’s rights?
Here are a few examples that were mentioned. The greater presence of women in politics and journalism: they are given credibility and their skills are recognized. The sharing of tasks in family life. Parental leave and day-care centers that help reconcile work and family life and give women economic autonomy; the effects of pay equity legislation; the development and recognition of shelters for women victims of sexual violence.
What remains problematic in terms of women’s rights?
Challenges related to the recognition of differences; access to housing, particularly for immigrant families who are all too often discriminated against; women victims of violence who end up on the street or staying with a violent spouse because shelters are overwhelmed.
What is standing in the way of women’s rights?
Individualism; lack of political will; to a certain extent, social media controlled by artificial intelligence
Is there a way forward?
Solidarity within the women’s movement. We must recognize the importance of coordinating the World March of Women and the issues that remain its priorities – the fight against poverty and violence. The CQMMF is made up of grassroots women’s groups who are close to the realities that affect women’s quality of life.
Based on notes taken by Violaine Paradis
Greetings to the jubilarians
The group raised a toast to mark the 70th anniversaries of sisters Thérèse Roy (present) and Cyrille Simard.
Acknowledgement of the road travelled!
Best wishes for the future!