Réseau québécois d'action pour la santé des femmes: The Survey Results Are In

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The key actors in the Québec women's health movement have said a resounding yes to the importance of creating the Réseau québécois d'action pour la santé des femmes (Québec women's health action network). These were the conclusions of a recent needs assessment undertaken by the Regroupement des centres de santé des femmes du Québec (RCSFQ) of women from a wide variety of fields and from every region of Québec.

The study allowed us to define the network's structure and mission. The mission of the network is to work in solidarity and with a feminist perspective to improve the health and well-being of women. It has the following objectives:

• to promote and defend the rights and interests of women in the area of health, through collective and political action, at the social, political, legislative and governmental levels;
• to adopt and value a global approach to women's health;
• to bring together and mobilize women and organizations involved in women's health issues;
• to act for and with women, respecting their knowledge and their ability to take charge of their own health.

In the spirit of creating solidarity with all those involved, the RCSFQ is now yielding its place to the Réseau québécois d'action pour la santé des femmes. The new network targets women interested in the health and living conditions of women. This includes women working at all levels of the health care system, from planning to decision-making, as well as those working in research or education. It will be of particular interest to women working in health and social services, activists in the women's health movement, and those involved in women's groups and community groups.

The network's official launch will take place on November 21, 1997 in Montreal. This will be an evening for our partners to mobilize around this multidisciplinary network. All are most welcome to attend.

-- Lise Lamontagne, Réseau québécois d'action pour la santé des femmes