This year it means a historical milestone for our society. 50 years ago, the first official female accommodation house, a crossroads for her, opened in Quebec. It was a founding moment, a direct response to the need for crying in a society where violence or uncertain situation and isolation were too often without refuge, without listening and without support.
Violence was considered a private problem, limited by the closed door. Today, these houses represent much more than just accommodation. They are the fruit of feminist and fighting with the toughness of hundreds of women and collectives.
Yesterday’s fighting, today’s victory
Over the decades, houses were accommodation at the core of the feminist movement in Quebec. Initially, they were an urgent response to the social problem: care for victims of women violence. Too often isolated, without resources and left in the shade, these women saw that their lives had changed thanks to the visionary activists’ commitment to set up the first accommodation houses. These women have prepared a way for significant political, legislative and social changes, thereby strengthening the fight against violence against women.
The central element of this struggle was to prove that this violence was not only in a private field, but indeed represented a social problem. Women realized that they were not alone in this suffering. The breaking of the isolation gathered, supported each other, and made a collective voice to condemn this systemic violence.
The challenges were enormous: stigmatization, non -zopilization of victims, lack of financial and institutional support. However, these pioneers managed to transform this reality, with several sources, but flawless determination. They knew how to federate alliances, raise awareness between the public and the authorities, and make the vote of those who were so far reduced to silence. Their mobilization allowed, among other things, the implementation of government policy in domestic violence in 1995, the first official recognition of violence against women.
Daily work of FMHF accommodation houses
Work achieved in accommodation houses is essential. These places, led by competent and determined teams, offer safe space for women and their children. Thousands of women are going through the door every day and looking for a context of violence, poverty or exploitation.
They will find support, external resources and, above all, hope for the future in an environment where they can be rebuilt into complete security. Psychological security allows these women to regain self -confidence, tell their experience without fear of judgment and start the healing process necessary for their reconstruction.
Workers and volunteers in accommodation houses are tirelessly working to offer human and respectful welcome. However, they face complex reality: growing needs, lack of structural financing and institutional and social pressures that threaten the sustainability of vital services for women and their children.
Today’s challenges and the fighting of tomorrow
On the occasion of this 50E Birthday is essential to look into the future. If there has been considerable progress, it remains a lot. Violence on women remains a ubiquitous whisk and new forms of oppression, such as judicial and digital violence, and complicates the departure of violence for women, as well as the work of accommodation houses that accompany them.
The current situation, marked by cuts in financing and increase in social services, threatens the quality of support to women. In addition, social context is becoming increasingly difficult, with increasingly strong economic and social unevenness, which still complicate access to safe and adapted housing for many women.
As a federation of accommodation houses for women, we are responsible for defending women’s rights, a campaign for more inclusive public policy and carrying the voice of those who fight for their dignity and their security every day. We call on governments and institutions to strengthen the support of accommodation houses to meet the growing needs of women of victims of violence.
Homage to those who paved the way
In the end, we pay tribute to all those who contributed to the creation and development of accommodation houses in Quebec. Their courage, perseverance and vision have made these houses symbols of resistance and mobilization face to face violence on women.
This year, when we celebrate this fiftieth anniversary, we re -confirm our commitment to continue this basic work. Women’s houses for accommodation are more than ever necessary and must continue to be supported for women and children to offer future violence, oppression and injustice.
I thank all those who have made these houses with a headlight of hope during the ages. We will continue to fight. Together.
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