This year, in honor of International Women's Day, which will take place on March 8th, we have decided to honor women throughout the month of March. To do so, every week you will discover a woman entrepreneur from Halte 24-7, who has accepted to share her experience.

But before that, do you know the evolution of women's rights in Quebec? Here are ten important dates that highlight the achievements of the last century:

• The right to vote was acquired in 1918 at the federal level and in 1940 in general;
• The obligation to obey one's husband was abolished in 1964 ;
• Contraception - notably the birth control pill - was decriminalized in 1969;
• In 1975, the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms put an end to discrimination based on sex;
• Since 1979, it is now possible to take a maternity leave of 18 months, without the risk of losing your job;
• Spousal assault has been recognized as a crime since 1983;
• In 1988, abortion was no longer a crime and became a legal medical act;
• The Pay Equity Act became effective in 1996;
• Changes have been made to the divorce law, and since 2021, domestic violence is now taken into account in decision-making.

These dates show the constant evolution of women's rights over the years. But let's not forget that nothing can be taken for granted, and that there have been setbacks in the past, such as the withdrawal of women's right to vote in 1849, the prohibition of women from attending medical classes in 1900 or, at the international level, the recent restrictions on access to abortion in the United States and Poland, for example.

Finally, it is also important to honour prominent Quebec women who are recognized for their inspiring career:

• Annie Macdonald-Lagstaff was the first woman to graduate from McGill University in 1911;
• Mariana Beauchamp-Jodom was the first Quebec woman to be elected to the Senate in 1951;
• More recently, in 2002, Louise Harel was the first female president of the National Assembly. This was the first time in Quebec's 210-year parliamentary history.

Much has changed over the past century, but this important day reminds us that we still have a long way to go for our rights and that they should not be taken for granted.

Halte 24-7 Coworking wishes you all a wonderful International Women's Rights Day. Next week, we will present you with the first portrait of an entrepreneur from here, who has an inspiring and courageous journey.