Government Strategy: Will Equality for All Women Be Achieved in 2021?

The Tables régionales de groupes de femmes du Québec and their encompassing Réseau salute the unveiling of the Stratégie gouvernementale pour l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes (Government Strategy for Gender Equality), after two years without an action plan for gender equality in Quebec. A strategy like this is important because it comprises a government orientation that can set a definition for women's equality in Quebec.

The announcement of a bill for a framework law that targets measurable equality seems to stem from the recognition that gender equality should be a priority that extends beyond the current government. We hope that the expertise of women's groups will be recognized as an essential asset from the start of the consultation process and that this expertise will eventually receive financial support.

Women in Quebec's Heartlands

For this Strategy to take root, its actions must be anchored throughout Quebec's regions. From the very start, we find the guiding principle aiming to regionalize the Government Strategy for Gender Equality to be interesting, but how will the government concretely integrate and benefit from the knowledge and analyses contributed by women living in different regions? “While the Tables régionales de groupes de femmes have been named as partners to apply the Strategy in all of Quebec's regions, we are waiting to hear what concrete measures will be taken to implement the government's vision. However, it’s always important to remember that we were able to develop our expertise because of our autonomy," emphasized Marie-Andrée Gauthier, Coordinator of the Réseau des tables régionales de groupes de femmes du Québec.

Differential Gender-Based Analysis (GBA+)

The GBA+ remains an essential tool for reducing the persistent systemic inequalities that women experience. It was at the heart of the last gender-equality policy, but in the absence of a significant budget and concrete tools for its implementation by various ministries and partners, it is obvious that the GBA+ is still far from a well-integrated practice. Will the government go further with its strategy to implement the GBA+? The question has yet to be answered.

"While the government wants to include a diverse group of partners to achieve equality for women, it must rely above all on Quebec's feminist movement, and specifically on the expertise of women's groups," continued the spokeswoman for the Réseau des Tables.

The Réseau des Tables régionales de groupe de femmes brings together all 17 Tables régionales de groupes de femmes. As a feminist organization that collectively defends women's rights, it works with provincial entities on regional issues and takes positions from a perspective of gender equality and increased social justice.

Source (in French): Réseau des Tables régionales, 29.06.2017

Related pages (in French):
Peu de moyens concrets!, Groupe des 13, 29.06.2017
La parité demeure un objectif politique à atteindre au Québec, Groupe Femmes, Politique et Démocratie, 29.06.2017
Les mesures présentées par les libéraux doivent être plus que des vœux pieux, CSN, 30.06.2017
La lutte pour l’égalité hommes-femmes piétine au Québec, Le Devoir, 30.06.2017