Women at the forefront of social change: at what cost?

Women have always been at the forefront of struggles for human rights, social justice, and mutual aid. They have initiated and led major movements advocating for access to education, equal pay, the right to safety, and climate justice

An Often Invisible Commitment

Why is their commitment to volunteering so often taken for granted? Too often, women’s volunteer work is perceived as a natural extension of traditional caregiving roles. They are expected to give their time, compensate for gaps in public services, and advocate for essential causes—all without compensation. Yet, at the same time, they continue to fight for equal recognition in the workplace and strive to break the glass ceiling.

A heritage to value

It is no coincidence that the Volunteer Bureau of Montreal (VBM) was founded in 1937 by a movement of dedicated women. They built a solidarity network to address the pressing needs of their time and laid the foundations for a movement that continues to evolve. Their legacy reminds us that volunteering is a powerful driver of change but should never serve as a substitute for addressing systemic inequalities.

Even today, it is essential to highlight the involvement of women in volunteering, particularly at the VBM, where they represent 64% of volunteers registered on our platform. This impressive figure reflects their unwavering commitment but also underscores the need to fully recognize their contribution.

Changing mindsets

At the VBM, we strive to break down these biases and shift perceptions. Our goal is to ensure that women’s contributions are valued for what they truly represent and that volunteering does not become a barrier to their pursuit of equality by confining them to unpaid or undervalued roles.

Volunteering is a choice, a commitment, and a powerful tool for social transformation. However, it should never be an implicit expectation or an invisible extension of gender inequality.

Women do not only change the world, they redefine its foundations. Their commitment should never be seen as just an addition to the list of invisible tasks, but as a pillar to build a fairer and more equitable society.

On International Women’s Rights Day, we celebrate the women who are changing the world and call for full recognition of their place, their work, and their impact.

Supporting women also means funding community resources

At the VBM, we believe in a strong social fabric where every woman facing challenges or seeking autonomy can find support, resources, and opportunities to rebuild her life.

A crying lack of funding

But how can this be achieved when organizations working with women are faced with budget cuts and a chronic lack of funding?

• Women shelters are operating at full capacity.
• Mental health and employability support services are underfunded.
• Groups that help women achieve economic independence are struggling to survive.

Even access to justice for victims of domestic and sexual violence is under threat, with the recent elimination of funding for Phase II of the Rebâtir program.

Yet these organizations are essential pillars for thousands of women. They cannot rely solely on the goodwill of volunteers and community workers, who also deserve decent working conditions and sufficient resources to accomplish their mission.

A real public commitment is needed

The VBM supports numerous organizations working with women, but volunteering cannot make up for persistent underfunding.

On this International Women’s Rights Day, we reaffirm that voluntary action must serve as a catalyst for social transformation, not as a justification for government disengagement. We call on decision-makers to commit to adequately funding community resources for women. Supporting women also means investing in sustainable solutions that provide them with tangible, lasting support.

Thank you for your reading,
Contact : communications@cabm.net

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