Your voice matters. When we unite as a community, we don’t just talk about change – we make it happen. The Movement thrives because each member’s voice is essential to our shared mission of advancing the rights of pregnant women and people in obstetrical and childbirth health care. Collective action has always been at the heart of social change, and right now, your participation is more crucial than ever.
Collective defense of rights (CDR) is more than a strategy; it’s a powerful force for justice. By amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, collective advocacy has become a cornerstone of Quebec’s democracy, challenging social inequalities that have defined the province’s history. Through political analysis, education, mobilization, and direct advocacy, these efforts have shaped Quebec’s legislation, protecting the vulnerable and uplifting those silenced for too long.
This Movement’s roots stretch back to the 1960s when working-class communities across Quebec mobilized to assert their rights. Women were at the forefront, stepping into the public arena in more significant numbers and fighting for equal pay, access to education, and political participation. Their activism led to the formation of the Fédération des Femmes du Québec et de l’Association féministe d’éducation et d’action sociale, marking the birth of a robust feminist movement in tandem with the labor movement. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, grassroots groups, citizens’ committees, and pressure groups grew in number, all committed to transforming society through education and social justice, challenging the power structures that shaped their world.
These community groups, united in the collective defense of rights, achieved remarkable successes by leveraging the power of unity to fight discrimination in both public and political arenas. They raised awareness of critical social issues—racism, sexism, tenants’ rights, workers’ rights, environmental justice, and more—while driving legislative changes to protect the underprivileged in Quebec better.
The 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of radical feminism, challenging patriarchal norms and advocating for women’s autonomy over their bodies and lives. Groups like the Front de libération des femmes du Québec, the Comité de lutte pour l’avortement, and the Centre de santé des femmes led these efforts, demanding rights that continue to shape our battles today. By the 1980s and 1990s, diverse coalitions had formed to fight for childcare, maternity leave, pay equity, and, notably, the legalization of midwifery in Quebec—a victory achieved through the unified efforts of women and midwives across the province. Activists (women and midwives) then created the Naissance Renaissance (today called the Regroupement Naissances Respectées). This collective action vehicle was at the forefront of the struggles for the humanization of birth, the recognition of midwifery practice, and the abolition of abusive medical practices. Criticism of the pathologization of childbirth led to parallel demands such as the place of fathers, the creation of birthing rooms, etc.
The Movement is proud to carry on this legacy. Our movement was born from the desire to extend the experience of birthing center pilot projects and to recognize midwifery practice in Quebec. While honoring past victories, we are looking to the future. The upcoming États généraux de la pratique sage-femme, funded by the Government of Quebec and coordinated by the Institut du Nouveau Monde (INM), represents an essential opportunity to address current challenges, share ideas, and shape a better future for the midwifery profession in Quebec. The Movement will be on the steering committee of these États généraux, and your participation is vital. We will request your input once we have more information on this subject. This is your chance to help build on our past successes and improve access to midwifery services while expanding the scope of action of the profession in sexual and reproductive health.
Collective action has always driven transformative change, as demonstrated by the legalization of midwifery in Quebec. “La Marche du Pain et des roses,” organized in 1995 by the FFQ led by Françoise David, led to concrete commitments: an increase in the minimum wage, a freeze on tuition fees, construction of social housing, and investments in jobs for women. The march also sparked the World March of Women (WMW) in 2000, a global movement. These protests in Quebec showed the unstoppable power of unity—how countless individual voices, when combined, can change the world. Today, the WMW remains a powerful force, rallying millions of women every five years to combat poverty, gender-based violence, systemic inequality, and climate injustice.
History shows the immense power of collective action, but our progress is always at risk. Today, forces pushing for privatization, reduced public services, and state withdrawal threaten the hard-won gains we’ve made. Now, more than ever, we must stand together to fight for the rights of the most marginalized. The Movement remains steadfast in its commitment to defend access to midwifery services and the right of every person to give birth as they wish.
When we unite, our impact is amplified. Each voice is essential, and together, we are unstoppable. Let’s celebrate our victories, protect our gains, and build a future where every voice truly matters.
