The situation of women and girls in Greater Montreal has not improved much, according to a study that documents the issues related to violence against women, their mental health and their working conditions and integration into employment.

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The Vital Signs of Greater Montreal series of reports, the 2022 edition of which was released by the Foundation of Greater Montreal on Thursday, notes a notable lag in gender and sex equity.

For example, one in five women in a couple say they are victims of violent behavior on the part of their spouse in 2021, according to the FGM, which specifies that poverty affected nearly 11% of women, compared to 8% of men.

In addition, if more than 18% of women lived with a disability in 2017, one in five Indigenous women had already thought about suicide during the same year, indicates the Foundation of Greater Montreal.

“We see that there is still a long way to go on the road to gender and sex equality. Fortunately, we are also seeing the emergence of a powerful, inspiring female leadership capable of charting this course,” said the President and CEO of the FGM, Karel Mayrand.

"Despite some progress, particularly with regard to their participation in the labor market, too many women still experience many obstacles that prevent them from flourishing," lamented Mia Homsy, President and CEO of the Institut du Québec.

“The findings surrounding domestic and sexual violence, in particular, are very worrying. And if the mental health of Montreal women is overall a little better than elsewhere in Canada, there is ultimately no reason to rejoice,” she qualified.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, contact SOS Violence conjugale at 1 800 363-9010 / see https://sosviolenceconjugale.ca/fr