As Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) Awareness Week ends, the Table des groupes de femmes de Montréal (TGFM) is thrilled to see the announcement made by the City that it will integrate a gender-based analysis with the goal of preventing systemic discrimination "in all of its policies, programs and services".
On behalf of all of our member groups working for and with Montreal's women in all their diversity, we congratulate the City for this decision, which will create opportunities to question preconceived notions that define our worldview and to prevent inequality―related not only to sex and gender identity, but to all other identity factors, such as living with a disability, ethno-cultural background, socio-economic conditions, age, etc.―throughout the development stages of municipal initiatives.
We are all the more pleased to hear this announcement because, since its founding in 1996, the TGFM has consistently applied a GBA+ and intersectional analysis to all of its actions. It has also been a tireless advocate for this approach with different municipal structures, elected officials and administrations, both in the centralized City structures and its borough offices.
A gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) helps foster gender equality, diversity and inclusion. Applying a GBA+, including the concept of intersectionality, to the development of municipal initiatives will help improve living conditions for Montrealers of all genders. Such a decision will indubitably help foster inclusion, equity, justice and security, and will contribute to building a more just city. The possibilities are endless!
We will, of course, closely follow the pilot project for GBA+ implementation in decision-making processes over the next two years involving the participation of municipal services for diversity and inclusion, urbanism and mobility, real-estate management and planning and the sports director in the boroughs of Ville-Marie and Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
We will also be monitoring the steps made to fully integrate the GBA+ within the established timeline, so as to prevent systemic discrimination in all of the City's policies, programs and services.
We remain available for advice or to participate in actions to support the implementation of the GBA+ at the municipal level, which remains a priority for the Table des groupes de femmes de Montréal.
Sylvie Majeau
President of the TGFM