The federal government is investing more than $5.4 million to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services across Canada, aiming to reduce barriers faced by women and underserved communities.
Health Minister Marjorie Michel announced the funding Friday through Health Canada’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund. The money will support five national organizations working to expand resources, education and support related to services such as abortion care, fertility treatment, endometriosis care and menopause management.
Michel said access to sexual and reproductive health care remains uneven across the country, with many women encountering obstacles including stigma, discrimination and geographic isolation in rural or remote communities.
“Access to sexual and reproductive health care is essential to a person’s health, autonomy and full participation in society,” Michel said in a statement. “By strengthening these supports, we are supporting people to participate fully in work, family and community life, building a stronger economy and healthier communities across Canada.”
The funding will be distributed to five organizations: Abortion Care Canada will receive $949,038; Fertility Matters Canada $860,078; the Canadian Association of Midwives $728,305; the Endometriosis Network Canada $966,884; and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada $1.93 million.
The organizations will use the funding to develop educational tools, improve awareness campaigns and support health-care providers in delivering more accessible and culturally safe care.
Marie-Gabrielle Ménard, parliamentary secretary to the minister for Women and Gender Equality and secretary of state for small business and tourism, said the federal government has supported dozens of initiatives aimed at improving sexual and reproductive health care since 2021.
“These projects improve access to sexual and reproductive health care support, information and services for women who face the greatest barriers to accessing care,” Ménard said.
Health Canada said projects funded through the program often focus on groups at higher risk of poorer health outcomes, including youth, Indigenous communities, racialized populations and members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
Advocates say improving access to care for conditions such as endometriosis and menopause is also critical for women’s participation in education, employment and community life.
Endometriosis, which affects nearly two million Canadians, can take years to diagnose and can significantly disrupt daily activities, according to the Endometriosis Network Canada.
Similarly, untreated menopause symptoms can affect women during peak earning years, leading to reduced productivity, increased absenteeism and broader economic impacts.
Since 2021, the federal government says it has committed more than $86 million through the Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund to support projects aimed at reducing barriers to care and improving access to services for underserved populations across the country.