The province’s largest independent women’s advocacy group is in dire straits.
La Fédération des femmes du Québec warned Sunday it might soon shut its doors if it does not secure government funding. The feminist group — which enjoys support from prominent union and community leaders — turned 50 years old this year.
The Fédération will launch a funding campaign in December in hopes of raising $10,000.
“In the last five or six years, our funding has really slowed down, so we’ve had to cut jobs,” said Mélanie Sarazin, the federation’s president. “We’re arriving at a catastrophic situation.”
Sarazin said the group’s work is crucial on a number in fronts.
“The struggle against poverty, which affects women in particular, the fight against violence and sexual assault, and all of what is happening with indigenous women,” Sarazin said. “We have a close relationship with Femmes autochtones du Québec. It’s not right what’s happening in Val-d’Or, and that’s one of our big fights.”
Former presidents of the federation include Québec solidaire MNA Françoise David and Bloc Québécois MP Vivian Barbot.
