Ottawa directs $5.4 million to abortion, fertility, menopause, and endometriosis projects to cut access barriers
When women cannot get timely abortion, fertility, endometriosis or menopause care, it limits their ability to make informed health decisions and to participate in work, family and community life.
Women in Canada still face significant barriers to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including stigma, discrimination and geographic isolation in rural communities.
The federal government frames closing these gaps as “critical to ensuring that all women can make informed decisions about their health and receive timely, compassionate, and comprehensive care.”
It also links this directly to economic outcomes, stating that a strong society and economy “is built on women's equality, where women can achieve success without systemic barriers holding them back.”
Against that backdrop, Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced more than $5.4m through the Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund for five national organizations.
The funding goes to:
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Abortion Care Canada with $949,038
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Fertility Matters Canada with $860,078
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the Canadian Association of Midwives with $728,305
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the Endometriosis Network Canada with $966,884
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the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada with $1.93m
The fund supports “evidence-informed and innovative projects” that aim to improve access to SRH services and resources for women and other underserved groups.
With this round of funding, the organizations will develop resources and build awareness related to abortion care, endometriosis care, fertility services, and menopause and perimenopause management.
The projects intend to address barriers such as stigma and discrimination, and the challenges of accessing care in rural communities.
Michel said the investment aims to improve access to sexual and reproductive health care so people can participate fully in society.
She said it will support organizations that work to close gaps in care for women and girls and help them take part in work, family and community life across Canada.
According to the federal government, the Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund has supported 42 projects 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.”
Each funded organization targets a distinct pressure point in women’s health.
Lynn Murphy‑Kaulbeck said the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada will use its support for “Beyond the Hot Flash: Building Capacity for Equitable Menopause Care through Evidence and Education” to improve how providers diagnose and treat perimenopause and menopause and to counter misinformation about treatment.
She said the goal is to give providers “the most current, evidence‑based recommendations for care.”
Abortion Care Canada stresses that “equitable access to abortion nationwide is essential for gender equity and bodily autonomy,” but says “substantive barriers to care remain well beyond those more commonly known such as geographic disparity.”
Executive director TK Pritchard says the funding will support people currently accessing abortion and “enable us to design and implement solutions to sustainably remove barriers for the future.”
Executive director Carolynn Dubé said Fertility Matters Canada will partner with Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities to design culturally safe fertility navigation tools and resources.
She said the supports will be “shaped directly by those communities.”
The Canadian Association of Midwives describes midwives as “a proven, cost-effective solution to Canada's healthcare crisis,” expanding access to primary SRH care “across communities, including rural, remote, and underserved areas.”
The fund supports “workforce development, clinical training, leadership, and knowledge mobilization,” which the association says can reduce pressure on the health system.
The Endometriosis Network Canada highlights that endometriosis “affects nearly two million Canadians, yet diagnosis can take years, especially for youth.”
Executive director Katie Luciani says the funding will expand “youth-informed education, awareness campaigns, digital tools, and community partnerships” to improve early recognition and reduce delays in diagnosis and support.
