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The federal government announced over $5.4 million in funding for five projects by reproductive and sexual health organizations.
According to Health Canada, the projects aim to “improve access for women and underserved communities to sexual and reproductive health services across Canada.”
The funding will be provided through Health Canada’s sexual and reproductive health fund, which supports “community-based organizations that improve access to abortion and other [sexual and reproductive health] care for underserved communities.”
Health Minister Marjorie Michel made the announcement at a news conference in Montreal on Friday alongside parliamentary secretary to the minister of women and gender equality Marie-Gabrielle Ménard, Culture Minister Marc Miller and Steven Guilbeault, the MP for Laurier-Sainte Marie.
The organizations receiving funding include:
The Canadian Association of Midwives with $728,305.Fertility Matters Canada with $860,078.Abortion Care Canada with $949,038.Endometriosis Network Canada with $966,884.The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada with $1.93 million.
Michel said that factors such as geographical distance, stigmatization, language barriers and lack of information prevent access to quality care.
She added that an investment in women’s health care is an investment in the success of Canada, saying this is a matter of equity and dignity.
According to Health Canada, funding for the Canadian Association of Midwives will help develop resources for abortion and postpartum services, contraception and gender-inclusive care for midwives.
Fertility Matters Canada’s project aims to “improve access to fertility care and assisted human reproduction for Indigenous and 2SLGBQIA+ people through the creation of a pilot online decision facilitation tool that guides fertility care seekers through the steps and decisions they will encounter as they seek fertility care.”
Abortion Care Canada’s funding will go toward strengthening “region-specific knowledge and resources to improve abortion care access for Indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+, disabled and overweight people with a focus on culturally informed care.”
Endometriosis Network Canada’s funding will support those facing barriers to care through resources, campaigns and educational events.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada’s project aims to create resources for health-care providers and people experiencing menopause and perimenopause to “improve the inclusiveness, accuracy and cultural appropriateness of menopause specialized care in Canada.”
According to the news release, these projects all aim to “address barriers” that impact women’s access to health care.
The sexual and reproductive health care fund currently supports other organizations and projects uplifting women’s access to reproductive health care and resources, including the National Abortion Federation Canada, the National Council of Indigenous Midwives and the Centre for Sexuality.