Gaëlle Fedida, a figurehead in the fight against domestic violence in Quebec, died following a bicycle accident in Montreal last week. Visibly appreciated by all, she leaves people from all walks of life in mourning.
On Monday, July 3, the SPVM received a call for what appeared to be a bicycle fall in the borough of Ville-Marie. Six days later, Mr.me Fedida sadly succumbed to his injuries, his spouse and children at his bedside.
Political coordinator of the Alliance of Second Stage Shelters (MH2), she had dedicated her life to helping others, especially women in difficult situations. Unsurprisingly, many glowing tributes have been reserved for him.
“She saved a lot of lives, moved a lot of lines”, proudly confides her spouse, Jean-Sébastien Matte, on the phone. “She was a feminist warrior, with a continual fight. »
She has always devoted all her energies to combating inequalities, particularly inequities against women.
Jean-Sébastien Matte, spouse of Gaëlle Fedida
In a touching Facebook post, MH2 describes her as an “incredible and luminous” woman. The organization says it is in “shock” and is going through an extremely difficult time.
“Gaëlle was a visionary, strong, confident, inspiring, generous and rigorous with inextricable heart convictions! She will have been a builder determined to set up post-separation domestic violence services for all women and children throughout Quebec, ”we can read there.
Before joining MH2, Gaëlle Fedida worked in the field of humanitarian aid. A doctor of law at the age of 28, she has notably worked for Équilibre in Croatia, Action against Hunger and Médecins sans Frontières. Her work has taken her all over the world: Burundi, Congo, Afghanistan, France, Switzerland, Malawi… many people have benefited from her expertise.
“Wherever she worked, her strength was her ability to use her training as a lawyer for justice in matters of the right to health,” recalls Joanne Liu, former president of MSF, in a press release.
The tributes fuse
In March 2021, ten years after settling in Quebec, Mme Fedida had urged the government to act after a wave of feminicides rocked the province. She was indignant that more help was not given to women living in this kind of difficult situation.
“Her aplomb, her sometimes destabilizing frankness, her exceptional rigor and her extraordinary nerve allowed this go-getter, determined, full of benevolence and empathy, to engage in substantive discussions”, adds Sabrina Lemeltie, president of MH2.
It is not only the direct entourage of Gaëlle Fedida who is saddened by this news. On Facebook, politicians from all walks of life wished to say their last goodbyes.
“Advancing the cause of women victims of domestic violence was tattooed on her heart,” wrote Martine Biron, Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, who met her last March. “Her departure leaves a significant void in the feminist universe in Quebec. I thank her personally for her great contribution in this fight. »
“The death of Mrs. Fedida is a great loss for her loved ones and also for all of Quebec, especially women in situations of domestic violence,” commented Parti Québécois spokesperson Méganne Perry Melançon. “I will keep good memories of our exchanges and his incomparable enthusiasm. »
“Very saddened by the loss of a great fighter who devoted herself body and soul to the fight against domestic violence and for women’s rights,” said Brigitte Garceau, Liberal Party MP for Robert-Baldwin.
“What sad news! We are losing a great woman. My condolences to his family and friends,” added Mercier MNA Ruba Ghazal.
“The tragic death of Gaëlle Fedida greatly affects us at Québec solidaire. She was brilliant, committed, determined, a fighter! exclaimed co-spokesperson Manon Massé in the press release sent to The Press.
Faced with this wave of tributes, Jean-Sébastien Matte says he is touched. “It is precious, for me and my children. It is essential and powerful. »
Until the end, Gaëlle Fedida will have been altruistic. His desire to save lives through organ donation has been respected. Her spouse and her two children, Salomé and Marin, are grateful.
The family, which is organizing a gathering for those who knew it, also invites them not to buy flowers – and to give to the causes that were dear to them.