Participation and activism of parent committees across the sociohistorical evolution of Quebec community birthing centres
This article focuses on the participation of women in Quebec community birthing centres by analyzing its socio-historical evolution from parent committees’ perspectives. It is based on a qualitative research carried out with women who participate in these parent committees to understand how they organize and develop concrete innovations and actions corresponding to their realities and the needs of their communities. It offers a broader understanding of activist parents’ demands and efforts to re-appropriate their own birthing processes, as well as their community birthing centres. This paper situates the historical, political, legal and institutional context of these committees’ actions and also presents the practice of midwifery as it relates to these committees. Research results, analyzed within a participation conceptual framework, identify women’s struggles for a respected maternity, both for themselves and for their communities; describe different types of committees and actions they led; outline the challenges met and strategies developed by women; and relate their perspectives on their own participation within parent committees.