Spotlight on Indigenous women's rights as World March of Women's 5th action wraps up
CBC
Several marches took place across Quebec Sunday afternoon to close off the fifth edition of the international World March of Women, which placed Indigenous women's rights front and centre this year.
Organizers with the Quebec Coalition of the World March of Women (CQMMF) are asking the province to institute systemic change and concrete measures to better protect the daily lives of Indigenous women.
Other major demands include the end of racial profiling, stronger economic integration of immigrants and to increase funding toward eliminating violence against women.
"We want the police forces to stop their practice of racial profiling and police stops. We want redress for forced sterilizations," said Marie-Andrée Gauthier, a spokesperson for the CQMMF.
The COVID-19 pandemic's pressure on Indigenous communities and Joyce Echaquan's death at the Joliette hospital led the CQMMF to further highlight the demands, explained Gauthier.
Notably, the CQMMF wants the government to help eliminate all forms of violence against women by launching a national awareness campaign in partnership with independent community action organizations. It's also calling for increased funding for organizations that provide services to women.
Gauthier said the government needs to propose systemic change and to not just put a "bandage" on the issues. She said there's a lack of resources to support immigrants women and is calling for an immediate increase in the minimum wage to $15 an hour to fight poverty.