Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights

Meghan Doherty, Co-Director of Policy & Advocacy, speaks to Global News on the Federal Government's announcement to tackle anti-abortion misinformation: “It sends an important message for young people who understand that they have a right to access the full range of sexual and reproductive health services to which they’re entitled, and also that access to abortion and abortion care is a very normal health care procedure that over-one third of Canadian women will get." This legislation is a positive step for reproductive rights, but must be paired comprehensive sexual education and further government support for community-based sexual and reproductive health care. https://lnkd.in/gAVZZvCj

Today, the Federal Government introduced new rules to prevent charitable organizations from spreading misinformation about abortion care. This is an important step towards safeguarding reproductive rights and ensuring access to accurate, unbiased information for all. "We commend the federal government for taking this important step," says Meghan Doherty, Co-Director of Policy and Advocacy at Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights. "We also recognize that policies like this must be paired with improved access to quality public health and education services.”  Action Canada applauds this move, but it’s only part of the solution. We're calling on leaders to also support local sexual health clinics, universal contraception and meaningful investments in comprehensive sex-ed. Image: missINFORMED Full statement: https://lnkd.in/gftRdPAX

🚨 Canada is facing a crisis of disability poverty—one that disproportionately impacts disabled women and gender-diverse people. 🚨 In solidarity with the disability community, feminist and gender equality organizations across Canada are demanding better. The proposed Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) offers too little, for too few, leaving far too many behind. It’s time for Canada to raise the bar. The cost of disability poverty can be deadly. Read our open letter calling on Ministers Chrystia Freeland, Kamal Khera and Hon. Marci Ien to take immediate action: https://lnkd.in/gqkwEg23

We’ve got big wins on the horizon—the Pharmacare Act is moving forward! This means expanded access to free contraception and essential health care could soon be a reality. But here’s the catch: it’s up to the provinces to make it happen. With three provincial elections around the corner and a Federal one coming down the pipes, now’s the time to pay close attention. What are parties saying (or not saying) about reproductive health care? Who’s ready to bring real, expanded access to contraception, and who’s staying silent? Your vote in these elections will decide how—and if—these critical health care services become real for people across Canada. Let’s show up, pay attention, and vote for leaders who will turn the promise of Pharmacare into action. No one should have to choose between paying for groceries and accessing birth control. Let's put real access to health care and what makes for healthy and thriving communities on the ballot across Canada!!! #NB #BC #Sask #Pharmacare

We’ve been advocating for years to collect better data on sexual and reproductive health in Canada, and now it’s finally here! This Statistics Canada | Statistique Canada survey is a crucial step in identifying gaps and barriers in care, covering everything from menstruation and contraception to pregnancy and access to abortion services.   Accurate data helps us push for policies that truly support the health and wellbeing of women and people with uteruses. This is about measuring where we’re at to build a future where everyone has equitable access to care.   Stay tuned on ways to participate. #ReproductiveJustice #HealthEquity

📅 Mark your calendars! If you're located in Ottawa, St. John's, Halifax, Moncton, Fredericton, or Montreal, make sure to check out these upcoming events on global youth activism for sexual and reproductive health and rights. Hosted by our friends at Inter Pares and featuring some amazing speakers! More info below. 👇

We did it! 🎉 Yesterday the #Pharmacare Act was passed by the Senate! For years Action Canada has been pushing for universal coverage of contraception. This historic victory is the result of countless policy briefs, panels and parliamentary meetings to push for progress. This means that Canadians will soon be able to access the contraception of their choice using their health cards—not their credit cards! We are thrilled to celebrate this win alongside a broad coalition of partners and grassroots supporters who played critical roles in the movement. This is one of the largest expansions of healthcare in Canada in a generation, proving that collective demands for equitable healthcare are finally being heard. This victory is a reminder that when we work together, change is possible! Click the link to read our statement: https://lnkd.in/gXADixFJ

“We can’t just fight back, we have to fight forward.” Members of the Future Planning Initiative gathered in Ottawa last week to share strategies on safeguarding and advancing sexual + reproductive rights in the face of global backlash. We discussed our vision for a future where everyone has access to robust healthcare systems and can make independent decisions about their bodies. While anti-rights groups try to divide our communities, coalitions like this remind us that we are stronger together. Special thanks to Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada, and to the Parliamentarians who help power progress. Oxfam Canada Inter Pares Cooperation Canada Canadian Partnership for Women and Children's Health (CanWaCH) MP Anita Vandenbeld MP Hon. Hedy Fry MP Lindsay Mathyssen, Senator Marilou McPhedran Senator Dr. Kristopher Wells Senator The Honourable Rosemary Moodie CD

The future looks bright alongside our incredible network of partners.

Supporting social justice is a labour of love 🧡— but it can also be exhausting. If you're feeling the weight of it all, know that it's okay to rest. It's important to set boundaries and to take a moment for yourself. We all need to recharge on the long journey towards equality and reproductive rights. 💪 If you are feeling fatigued, know that there are many supportive communities to lean on. Let's have a conversation: how do you take care of yourself while staying committed to this important work? Share your thoughts in the comments. Let's lift each other up! 💬