In 2025, the Mouvement pour l’autonomie dans l’enfantement (formerly Groupe MAMAN) proudly celebrates thirty years of dedicated advocacy for women’s birthing rights and autonomy in Quebec. Founded in 1995 under the name Groupe Maman, The Movement has been a driving force in transforming childbirth experiences and advancing reproductive freedom, ensuring that women and birthing individuals have the right to choose how, where, and with whom they give birth.
The Movement began with a simple yet powerful gathering of women driven by their transformative birth experiences. Lysane Grégoire, a founding member, recalls the energy of those early meetings. Inspired by a shared desire to make midwifery services accessible to all, the group grew from a small circle into a province-wide advocacy powerhouse.
“The Movement has a fundamental feminist mission,” Lysane explains, “Still too few women are aware of what this means, that pregnancy and childbirth belong to women and to the individuals who give life. A bit like when the majority of women did not see the point in obtaining the right to vote.”
What began as an informal gathering soon evolved into a dynamic network of advocates who worked tirelessly to raise awareness among women and to demand the legalization and accessibility of midwifery practice throughout Quebec. Through numerous meetings, public outreach efforts, community events, mobilization of parent committees and citizen groups, and collaboration with their allies—particularly within the Coalition for Midwifery Practice’s coordinating committee—and strategic partnerships with allies in the healthcare and feminist sectors, the Movement gradually gained strength and credibility across all regions of Quebec. Their advocacy was not only about access but also about shifting societal perceptions regarding birth choices and autonomy.
Over the past three decades, the Movement has achieved significant and lasting victories. From the successful petition of over 6,500 signatures in 1997 to integrate midwives into the Quebec health system to the mobilization against Bill 15 in 2023, which threatened the autonomy of midwives and people who give birth, their impact is undeniable. Notably, their advocacy led to crucial dialogues with the Director of Civil Status and the Minister of Health, resulting in the expansion of birthing centers and the recognition of parents’ rights. Beyond these political victories, the Movement has tirelessly worked to transform public consciousness and has played a pivotal role in educating the public on the importance of informed consent and birth autonomy. Their workshops, informational campaigns, and partnerships with healthcare providers have provided invaluable resources to thousands of families seeking alternatives to conventional hospital births.
One of the Movement’s most remarkable accomplishments, however, is its resilience. Former Board Member Wennita Charon considers the organization’s survival without funding for its first twenty years to be its “greatest achievement.” Despite financial challenges, the Movement remained true to its mission, driven by passionate volunteers and unwavering community support.
The Movement’s legacy transcends its political victories to become deeply rooted in the social fabric of its community, particularly through its support for parents’ committees at birthing centers and citizen groups demanding services. Another former Board Member, Julie Aubin, describes how sharing personal stories and collective advocacy created a supportive environment. “Each step toward greater dignity, respect, and freedom surrounding births represents a success with the power to change the lives of many families,” Julie says. The Citizens’ Rally in Montreal in 2018, following an extensive outreach tour and midwifery practice survey, stands out as a moment of solidarity and shared purpose for the organization.
Looking forward, the Movement remains committed to ensuring universal access to empowering and personalized perinatal services for all birthing individuals in Quebec, regardless of region or community. Julie emphasizes this ongoing mission: “One of the central issues concerns universal access to respectful and selected perinatal services.”
Julie recalls in a reflection on the organization’s priorities, “This is fundamental work that the Movement has been helping to carry out for a long time now, and of which we can see tangible progress (new midwifery service points, for example) but whose current picture is still unsatisfactory for many groups and individuals who must resign themselves to giving birth in less favorable or even difficult conditions.”
The Movement also aims to amplify the voices of families and birthing individuals. Lysane envisions a future where autonomy in childbirth is the norm, not the exception. “I dream of the day when people will find it unusual to spontaneously visit a doctor upon discovering they are pregnant and to go to the hospital to give birth. Unfortunately, I doubt that this change will happen in my lifetime,” she said.
As The Movement celebrates thirty years of resilience and progress, it continues to inspire and empower families throughout Quebec. With unwavering dedication, The Movement looks forward to expanding its membership, raising more awareness about autonomous childbirth, and amplifying the voices of courageous women across Quebec who are committed to building a future where every person who gives birth can experience childbirth with dignity, choice, and confidence.
The Movement’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and community-driven change. Every milestone achieved over the past three decades serves as a stepping stone for future generations to enjoy even greater freedom and choice in their birthing experiences. By standing together, we can continue advocating for a world where all birthing individuals feel seen, heard, and supported.
