Courtesy
A group of participants, including activists, community leaders, and local politicians, gathers at Église du Précieux-Sang in Sherbrooke for the launch of the Marche mondiale des femmes in Estrie. The event was part of the region’s activities for International Women’s Day.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The 2025 Marche mondiale des femmes was officially launched March 7 at Église du Précieux-Sang in Sherbrooke, bringing together activists, politicians, and community leaders to advocate for gender equality. Organized by ConcertAction Femmes Estrie in collaboration with Minister of National Revenue and Sherbrooke MP Élisabeth Brière and Compton-Stanstead MP Marie-Claude Bibeau, the event was part of the region’s activities surrounding International Women’s Day. The morning discussions took place between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., while afternoon activities, organized by the Comité 8 mars—including CALACS Agression Estrie, the Employment Market Integration Centre (CIME), Escale de l’Estrie, and Maison Séjour—were held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and were open to the public and media.

“The rights of women, our rights, are never fully secured—even here in Canada,” Brière stated during the press conference at the event. She emphasized the need for vigilance in the face of increasing public discourse against gender equality, particularly on social media and in political rhetoric. “We must continue working together to foster gender inclusion in economic, social, and political spheres.”

Bibeau echoed the sentiment, underlining the importance of political engagement and community leadership. “Getting involved in your community, joining organizations, and taking on leadership roles is also a form of politics. It’s through these grassroots efforts that real change begins,” she said. Reflecting on her experience as Canada’s first female Minister of Agriculture, she highlighted the increasing presence of women in leadership roles within the sector.

The day’s events featured a series of activities aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing allies for gender equality. Joannie Lasnier, coordinator at the CIME and a member of the organizing committee, outlined the afternoon program, which included an interactive art project, a virtual reality experience showcasing non-traditional careers for women, and testimonies from survivors of sexual violence.

A related press release states that a key focus of the gathering was the launch of the Marche mondiale des femmes in Estrie, part of a global movement initiated in 2000 to combat poverty and violence against women. The movement traces its roots back to the 1995 Bread and Roses March, which mobilized over 800 women across Quebec to demand social and economic justice.

The 2025 edition of the march will center on three main themes: violence against women, systemic poverty, and the impact of capitalism on climate change. Dominique Côté from Escale de l’Estrie emphasized the need for policy changes to integrate an intersectional approach to gender-based violence prevention. “We demand the adoption of laws that mandate this analysis in public policies so that we can better understand and address the root causes of violence,” she stated. The movement also calls for increased access to justice for survivors and measures to combat institutional violence.

Lise Cadieux from the Centre des femmes du Memphremagog focused on the economic dimension of gender inequality, describing poverty as a form of systemic violence. “Achieving true gender equity means eliminating wage gaps and ensuring universal access to quality public services, housing, and transportation,” she said. The march’s demands include stronger enforcement of pay equity laws, better protections for immigrant workers, and recognition of unpaid domestic labour, which disproportionately falls on women.

The final theme, presented by Shirley Germain of ConcertAction Femmes Estrie, addressed the link between capitalism, climate change, and gender inequality. “We need to hold corporations accountable, regulate multinational operations, and shift towards an economic model that prioritizes sustainability and social justice,” Germain said. The march calls for greater environmental protections, corporate taxation, and measures to curb tax avoidance by large corporations.

Several key dates were highlighted for the year’s mobilization efforts, including a feminist solidarity day against transnational corporations on April 24, the 30th anniversary of the Bread and Roses March on June 4, and a province-wide women’s march in Quebec City on October 18, with buses departing from Estrie to transport participants.

Both Brière and Bibeau reaffirmed their commitment to supporting these initiatives. “The world has changed a lot in recent years, and we must remain particularly vigilant,” Bibeau said. “We must continue to ensure that women and girls can live safely, reach their full potential, and achieve their dreams.”

With the Marche mondiale des femmes officially launched in Estrie, organizers encourage the public to participate in upcoming activities and to follow the movement’s progress through social media. “This is about solidarity, justice, and making sure our voices are heard,” said Lasnier. “We invite everyone to join us in building a more equitable future.”