On the occasion of National Women's Centres Day, L'R des centers de femmes - Quebec's largest autonomous feminist community action group - unveils a platform to demand recognition of the work of women's centers in the field of violence against women.

" Under the theme "Ensemble, enrayons les violences" (Together, let's put an end to violence), the Day is being celebrated by its 77 member centers across the province, including Le center de femmes La Moisson. Based on local and regional realities, the women's centers have developed specific expertise in violence against women, taking into account the globality of women and the plurality of their experiences. Intervention and awareness-raising on violence against women are an integral part of the mission of women's centers" explains Nadia Morissette, general coordinator of L'R des centers de femmes du Québec. Women's centers work to improve all aspects of women's lives, including the violence they experience. Each in its own way, according to its own reality, accompanies women according to their needs. They are all working to put an end to violence against women.

"We are regularly the gateway to services. Women come here because they don't know where to turn. We refer them to domestic violence services and work with several organizations to help them with their needs and priorities.We also work to raise women's awareness of the various forms of violence they have experienced, so that they can recognize them, and we support them throughout the process" explains Karine Giguère, coordinator of the La Moisson women's center.

L'R's women's centers are asking to be consulted and involved in the deployment of actions in the field of violence against women, and for adequate funding to be allocated to them to enable them to carry out their work in line with needs."The work on violence against women carried out by women's centers is essential and complementary to that done by other players in the field.It must be recognized if we are to put a stop to violence against women. Together, let's put an end to violence", concludes Nadia Morissette.