AFIO forum to address barriers faced by immigrant women

Tashi Farmilo

Accompagnement des Femmes immigrantes de l’Outaouais will host a public forum March 7 at the Maison du Citoyen to mark International Women’s Rights Day 2026, focusing on intimate partner violence and the need for stronger regional support for immigrant women.

The event, titled Étincelles d’aujourd’hui, lumières de demain, will run from 6 pm - 9 pm at 25 Rue Laurier. The evening is funded by the City of Gatineau and organized in collaboration with local shelters and community organizations working with immigrant women.

AFIO’s mission is to accompany, support and promote immigrant women in the Outaouais throughout their integration process, fostering autonomy, well-being and full participation in social, community and civic life. Since its creation, the organization has offered awareness initiatives, psychosocial support, capacity-building programs and community mobilization activities addressing issues experienced by immigrant women.

Provincial data show that intimate partner violence remains a significant issue in Quebec. In recent years, more than 20,000 women annually have been recorded as victims of offences in a conjugal context, including physical and sexual violence. Women continue to represent most victims in domestic violence cases. Research has also found that immigrant women may face additional barriers when seeking help, including language obstacles, social isolation and concerns related to immigration status, which can increase vulnerability and complicate access to services.

According to Aïcha Koné, a project lead specializing in intimate partner violence, the primary objective of the March 7 event is to raise awareness about domestic violence and underscore the urgency of developing appropriate regional resources. The panel will feature speakers from varied professional backgrounds: Patrick Duquette, a columnist; Roda Muse, a deputy minister; Paula Alphonse, a change management coach; Claude Andrea Bonny, a speaker; Annick Brazeau, a shelter director; and Milena Cavas, founder of the Groupe Héritage colombien.

Discussions will centre on resilience, rebuilding after trauma and the specific realities faced by immigrant women. The evening will also include artistic performances and remarks from community partners and representatives. Organizers expect participation from women supported by AFIO’s services, institutional and community partners, and representatives from the political and social sectors. Accessibility measures will include on-site childcare and other inclusive accommodations.

“Our main objective is to raise awareness about intimate partner violence and highlight the urgency of developing adequate resources in the region,” Koné said.