When Will There Be an Action Plan on Women's Health and Well-Being?

On June 13, 2017, a targeted consultation was held by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux in preparation for a third action plan on women's health and well-being, to which many feminist groups were invited. Since then, there have been no updates as to the release of this action plan. We find this long wait particularly alarming.

We find it important to note that the first action plan on men's health and well-being was released on August 22, 2017. In contrast, there has been no government action plan specifically dedicated to women's health and well-being since 2015. While the Centres intégrés de santé et de services sociaux are getting organized to improve men's living conditions and health, we have a difficult time understanding how half of Quebec's population could be left behind, especially when the health and social services network throughout Quebec has already been active on the topic of women's health in the past.

For the sake of clarity, here are some of the demands presented during these consultations. We believe that there should be a person responsible for the next action plan for women's health and well-being in every CISSS. It is crucial that this role be clearly defined so that each designated person can fully take responsibility for their tasks. We suggest that regional action plans be developed, while maintaining coordination between relevant stakeholders.

Additionally, each of these regional action plans should benefit from a recurring budget allocation in keeping with its needs, to be spent within a certain time period. We believe that the institution of a formal mechanism will allow for concrete advances in women's health and well-being throughout Quebec. Know that the 17 Tables régionales de groupes de femmes du Québec have mobilized and are ready to play an active role in this endeavour.

Madame Minister, when will you release the third action plan for women's health and well-being?

Source (in French): Réseau des tables régionales de groupes de femmes du Québec, 15.04.2019