Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal is calling for increased protections against online misogyny and hate speech, following a surge in threats directed at women in public life. The move comes as several Quebec personalities shared their experiences with cyberviolence on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2026.
Author India Desjardins posted a video to Instagram on Sunday reading an online insult she received: “You’re a crazy b****. Go get some help.” Several other Quebec figures joined her in sharing similar experiences, highlighting the pervasive nature of the problem. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the issue and demand action from authorities.
Ghazal herself has been the target of hateful messages online. Il n’y a pas longtemps, j’ai mis de l’avant des insultes, des commentaires haineux que je recevais en ligne
, she explained in an interview with La Presse Canadienne on Sunday. Comme personnalité publique, une femme qui prend la parole, ça fait partie, malheureusement aujourd’hui, de notre vie de recevoir ce genre de commentaires haineux qui seraient inacceptables dans la vraie vie
, she added. This experience underscores the growing challenges faced by women in politics and public discourse.
After sharing her own experiences, Ghazal received numerous testimonials from other women who fear speaking out on controversial issues due to the threat of online harassment. Il ne faut surtout pas banaliser cette violence-là, même si elle est reçue en ligne, et dire haut et fort avec toutes les femmes qui ont pris la parole dans cette vidéo que, non, nous ne nous tairons pas
, Ghazal emphasized.
The effort is being promoted with the hashtag #OnSeTientDebouttes, a theme chosen by the Fédération des femmes du Québec for International Women’s Day. Ghazal expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of online hate, which she links to the rise of misogynistic and masculinist rhetoric, particularly in the United States.
Ce discours masculiniste arrive malheureusement chez nous. Ça a un impact sur les femmes. Et on voit aussi une montée du discours misogyne et masculiniste même dans les écoles
, she said. Il y a beaucoup de travail d’éducation et de sensibilisation de la population à faire
, she believes.
Québec Solidaire has pledged to create a dedicated hotline to combat cyberviolence and support victims if the party forms the next government. Currently, the only options for reporting such incidents are to call 911 or file a police report, which can be intimidating for some.
En ce moment, le seul recours qui existe, c’est d’appeler au 911 ou d’aller au poste de police, et ça, ça peut être intimidant. Les gens, des fois, ne veulent pas judiciariser ça : ce qu’ils veulent, c’est que le comportement de cyberintimidation cesse.
Ghazal proposes a 24/7 hotline to receive complaints, assist victims, and potentially seek court injunctions against cyberbullies. She cited a similar model in New Zealand, implemented in 2014, which has reportedly resolved 97% of complaints within 15 days.
