January 2024
Brief history of the World March of Women
The Quebec Coordination of the World March of Women (CQMMF, acronym in French) is a group of feminist organizations present in all regions of Quebec. We are, without a doubt, proud to be part of the transnational feminist network of the World March of Women.
Our story
In late August 1995, an important delegation from the Quebec feminist movement participated in the World NGO Forum on Women in Huairou, a parallel forum to the Fourth UN World Conference in Beijing, China. At this emblematic event of international solidarity, the women of Quebec launched the idea of a World March of Women, like throwing a message in a bottle into the sea.
They presented the idea of a World Women's March in 2000: women worldwide would march to denounce International Monetary Fund policy and demand that UN member countries take concrete steps to combat women's poverty. What an incredible project! But maybe... If we all come together... Anything is possible, right? Maybe... The project has been launched.
The first International Meeting of the World March of Women (WMM) took place in Montreal on October 18, 1998. Dozens of activists worked hard to prepare for this extraordinary event. The emotion was immense and, let's admit it, so was the anxiety! In two days, we were able to propose a platform of 17 global demands for the elimination of poverty and violence against women. Additionally, we committed to organizing a World March of Women in 2000, which would begin on March 8, International Women's Day, and end on October 17, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This historic meeting was the starting point.
Our story
In late August 1995, an important delegation from the Quebec feminist movement participated in the World NGO Forum on Women in Huairou, a parallel forum to the Fourth UN World Conference in Beijing, China. At this emblematic event of international solidarity, the women of Quebec launched the idea of a World March of Women, like throwing a message in a bottle into the sea.
They presented the idea of a World Women's March in 2000: women worldwide would march to denounce International Monetary Fund policy and demand that UN member countries take concrete steps to combat women's poverty. What an incredible project! But maybe... If we all come together... Anything is possible, right? Maybe... The project has been launched.
The first International Meeting of the World March of Women (WMM) took place in Montreal on October 18, 1998. Dozens of activists worked hard to prepare for this extraordinary event. The emotion was immense and, let's admit it, so was the anxiety! In two days, we were able to propose a platform of 17 global demands for the elimination of poverty and violence against women. Additionally, we committed to organizing a World March of Women in 2000, which would begin on March 8, International Women's Day, and end on October 17, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This historic meeting was the starting point.
Let us join our hands.
The earth is a woman
Listen to our souls
Don't be deaf
We talk about love
The earth is a woman
Listen to our souls
Don't be deaf
We talk about love
Today
Starting November 21, 2023, the Quebec Coordination of the World March of Women (CQMMF) invited us to meet movement activists through five webinars, providing a round-the-world tour of feminist resistance.
In the first webinar of the series, we welcomed two feminist activists who work in different parts of Europe to defend public services. The first guest, Christine Mead, is an activist at ATTAC Marseille and also collaborated in preparing a book on feminist economics. The second guest, Isakun Guarrotxena Martine, is a feminist activist and trade unionist who works in the Basque Country. Both have direct experience in local struggles to promote and preserve public services.
The webinar occurred on November 21, from 12:00 to 1:30 pm, with interpretation available in French and Spanish. The first hour was dedicated to the guests' speeches, while the last block consisted of an exchange between the participants to establish relationships with ongoing demands in Quebec. This meeting was an opportunity to learn about the ongoing struggles for the preservation and recognition of public services and the alternatives proposed in relation to the feminist economy of the World March of Women.
The next meetings will take place on the following dates:
Starting November 21, 2023, the Quebec Coordination of the World March of Women (CQMMF) invited us to meet movement activists through five webinars, providing a round-the-world tour of feminist resistance.
In the first webinar of the series, we welcomed two feminist activists who work in different parts of Europe to defend public services. The first guest, Christine Mead, is an activist at ATTAC Marseille and also collaborated in preparing a book on feminist economics. The second guest, Isakun Guarrotxena Martine, is a feminist activist and trade unionist who works in the Basque Country. Both have direct experience in local struggles to promote and preserve public services.
The webinar occurred on November 21, from 12:00 to 1:30 pm, with interpretation available in French and Spanish. The first hour was dedicated to the guests' speeches, while the last block consisted of an exchange between the participants to establish relationships with ongoing demands in Quebec. This meeting was an opportunity to learn about the ongoing struggles for the preservation and recognition of public services and the alternatives proposed in relation to the feminist economy of the World March of Women.
The next meetings will take place on the following dates:
- February 21, 2024: Food sovereignty/Africa
- April 18, 2024: Climate and environmental justice / Asia and Oceania
- September 18, 2024: Energy and extractivism / America
- November 28, 2024: Repression of social movements / Middle East and North Africa (MENA region)
