Advocacy

YWCA Montreal and its Foundation gratefully acknowledge and pay respect to the Kanyen’kehà:ka (Mohawk) and Anishinaabe Nations, traditional custodians of the unceded indigenous territory where we are located.

Advocating for Women and Girls Beyond our Walls

To reduce exclusion and social and gender inequality, as well as all forms of violence against women and girls, we must reach beyond our daily and individual actions for women and girls. That is why we organize, collaborate, and participate in many events and campaigns to promote mobilization, engagement, and awareness around women’s issues.

We also participate in numerous awareness campaigns organized by our partners or collaborators concerning issues that the YWCA considers top-priority, including social and gender inclusion and equality, as well as those promoting the elimination of violence against women and girls.

You can also read about YWCA Canada’s advocacy priorities.

Advocacy News

Week Without Violence

Each year, during the third week of October, Canadians bond with people in over 90 countries around the world to mark YWCA’s Week Without Violence™, a week-long series of community events promoting diverse approaches to creating a violence-free world. Prevent violence before it starts This year’s campaign theme is “Take Time. Take Action. Stop Violence Read More >>

How do I report a sexist or sexual advertisement or message?

Are you outraged by openly sexist material in the media? Are you shocked by sexist or degrading advertising that violates the integrity of women or men? There is always a way to report it! It seems that consumers of all genders are more against overtly sexist messages; however, advertising continues to portray women and men Read More >>

YWCA Montreal – finding solutions

Although the YWCA Montreal is this year celebrating 145 years of history and expertise, this is the first time that the team in place has faced an event of this kind and magnitude. The current health crisis is hitting the community sector hard, and we are facing the same repercussions as businesses, but with much Read More >>

Violence against Women : Halloween Shock Campaign

Violence against women is no trivial matter: the YWCAs launch a shock campaign thanks to FCB Agency Since 2004, the national crime rate has dropped in all identified sectors, except in the case of violence against women; there are not enough women’s shelters to meet the demand; violence against women and girls is often in the Read More >>

Immigration and Jobs: a Veritable Obstacle Course

“I was told that I couldn’t wear my veil at work. I was asked intrusive questions regarding my family and they demanded to know my country of origin. I got so tired of this, I changed my name on my CV and I heard back from a lot more employers!” – Najat Najat is not Read More >>

Some statistics on women and the shortage of affordable housing

Housing vacancy rates reached 1.9% in Montreal in June 2019, the lowest in years. This rate dropped to 0.8% for family housing with three bedrooms or more. Promising initiatives The City of Montreal has taken action and has promised to develop 12,000 affordable social housing units by 2022 [1]. A new bylaw has just been unveiled Read More >>

What’s Consent About?

Consent in the case of sexual relations, consists of voluntarily giving – or not giving – consent. This consent must be given in a free and informed way. If this is not the case, the person’s consent is not valid. Keep in mind: You can withdraw your consent at any time, even if you already Read More >>

2018 Provincial Election : A Debate is Needed on Women’s Issues

In preparation for the upcoming provincial elections and in light of the overwhelming silence on women’s issues, the YWCA Montreal is announcing a political debate on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 1355 René-Lévesque Boulevard West in Montreal. From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., representatives of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), the Liberal Party of Québec Read More >>