New Student Intern Highlight

We are thrilled to highlight our new volunteer joining us through a University of Toronto Student Placement program, working with Yuliya Fakhr and Gina-Marie Cerantola:

“Hi everyone! My name is Alexandrei Sabaten, and I’m a fourth-year student at the University of Toronto majoring in Pharmacology with a double major in Immunology and Women & Gender studies. As part of my WGS470 Community Engagement course, I’m completing my placement with WHC. I’ve always been passionate about women’s health, particularly because I found traditional education in this area lacking and had to pursue much of my learning independently. I’m excited to align with WHC’s mission to improve healthcare access and experiences for women by focusing on enhancing provider practices. Outside of school and advocacy, I’m an avid reader and love immersing myself in romance novels, whether flipping through physical books or diving into my Kindle. Looking forward to contributing to this meaningful work!”

Survey Alert!

We would like to share a survey currently being run by the research team of the Respective health care for women and girls experiencing female genital cutting (RHCforFGC – Gender Net Plus Project).

This survey aims to be completed by healthcare practitioners to enhance the awareness of physicians, nurses, and midwives, and add to their knowledge of challenges associated with the prevention of female genital mutation/cutting (FGM/C) as well as the provision of quality health care for women, adolescents, and girls living with FGM/C in Canada.

If you are a physician, nurse practitioner, nurse clinician, or midwife practicing in Canada click HERE to take this survey by January 31st, 2025. 

WHC of Canada Executive Committee
Vice Chair – West
Director of Advocacy and Partnerships
Director of Marketing and Fund Development

Patient Advisory Council – Do you have firsthand experience navigating a gynecological health condition/concern in Canada’s health care system? This council is an advisory group consists of women with diverse experiences in Canada’s health system, designed to provide the patient voice to advocacy, awareness and resources.

National Committees: Committee positions are available in all areas of planning, including webinars, podcasts, clinical resources, research, government relations, fundraising, marketing, digital and social media. Project teams will be established for Women’s Health Week 2025 (May) and Disruption: The Future of Women’s Health Global Conference (Sept 2025)

WHC Provincial Chapter Opportunities
Ontario – Director of Government Relations
British Columbia
Quebec
Newfoundland and Labrador

Canada Moves Towards Universal Pharmacare

The Senate of Canada has passed a landmark pharmacare legislation without amendments, marking a significant victory and promising strides for healthcare access and reproductive rights across the country.

This bill will:

• Empower individuals to make informed choices about family planning
• Eliminate financial barriers to accessing birth control
• Reduce overall costs for the healthcare system
• Promote gender equality and bodily autonomy
  Canada’s Historic Step Toward Pharmacare

Read More

Military Women’s Health Research in Canada

Reproductive Health of Women in the Canadian Military
Military women face unique health risks relative to reproductive health including infertility risks, increased risk of hysterectomy and sexually transmitted diseases.

“Several study participants [i.e. CAF servicewomen] noted that they, and other women, did not receive equitable care or treatment because their bodies did not conform to the male norm. […] Gender neutrality manifests as gender blindness and, as such, negatively affects women’s health and well-being.” Eicher M. Making military and Veteran women (in) visible: The continuity of gendered experiences in military-to-civilian transition. JMVFH, 2022.

Why is this research important?
As the number of women in the military continues to grow, it is critical to deepen our understanding of military women’s health research. This knowledge is essential for delivering effective preventive and curative care and for fostering evidence-based practices that protect the well-being of women in the military.

Read More

New Publications

Here are a couple of exciting, recently published, scientific papers pertaining to women’s reproductive, menstrual and sexual health!:

• Pelvic floor muscle training for female urinary incontinence: development of a programme theory from a longitudinal qualitative case study
• Acupuncture combined with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists improves endometrial receptivity and pregnancy outcome in patients with recurrent implantation failure of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer

The (M) Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause

Join us online in attending the virtual screening of The [M] Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause – a feature-length documentary film on the experiences, barriers, and inequities encountered by women seeking menopausal care across the U.S. A moderated panel discussion will follow the screening, including Carmen Wyton (WHC National Chair) and many other incredible advocates as panelists!

Tues, Dec 10, 2024 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM MT