Quebec: National Action exceeds expectations; mobilisation continues

Each day was dedicated to demands related to one of the WMW Action Areas, with priority given to indigenous women’s rights on the 16th. Participation on the 17th October exceeded expectations, with 10,000 people gathered in solidarity with the women of the Democratic Republic of Congo and to denounce violence against women in countries at war. 

According to the WMW National Coordinating Body in Quebec, the participants of the national action – with their demands and actions – contributed to the opening up of debate in society around themes such as the role of the private sector in the health system, the increase in education charges, the harmful effects of sexist advertising, the struggle against poverty, the need to reintroduce sexual education lessons in schools, militarisation, military recruitment and the war in Afghanistan, the defence of women’s right to decide whether or not to abort, and the Canadian government’s position in relation to the non-signing of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.  Soon after the action, on the 12th November, the Canadian government finally signed this declaration.

And the mobilisation continues: between the 19th and the 21st November the WMW is calling for participation in the Popular Gathering against war and militarisation, in Quebec (www.echecalaguerre.org) and between the 25th November and the 6th December actions in the struggle against violence against women are being organised by various groups. Still other groups are participating in the struggle against the privatisation of the public services and charges for these services. In January 2011, the National Coordinating Body will meet again to discuss and prepare new actions.

For an evaluation of the Quebec action (in French) please see: http://www.ffq.qc.ca/2010/10/bilan-de-la-marche-mondiale-des-femmes-un/