The Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Fund was established to support a wide range of evidence-informed and innovative projects that address the pressing needs of people in Canada who are at increased risk for poorer SRH outcomes in Canada, such as members of Indigenous and racialized people, women, youth, and members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
Budget 2021 committed $45 million over three years to improve access to a full range of SRH care support, information, and services for people in Canada who face the greatest barriers to access.
Budget 2023 renewed and extended this investment for a further $36 million over three years, starting in 2024-25.
Today, the Government of Canada is providing more than $4.3 million from the SRH Fund to British Columbia's Provincial Health Service Authority (Indigenous Health), the National Council of Indigenous Midwives via the Canadian Association of Midwives, the Native Women's Association of Canada, and Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak for their projects.
Reproductive, Sexual, and Gender Health and Care: Expanding educational interventions to address anti-Indigenous racism and support Indigenous youth wellness
British Columbia's Provincial Health Services Authority (Indigenous Health)
Funding: $1,816,626
This project will provide support for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities by expanding educational materials for the Indigenous-led San'yas program and Indigenous Youth Wellness programs. This will help enhance cultural safety and inclusion for these communities when accessing services and programming related to gender and SRH.
FORWARD: IBPOC Midwives Leading for Better Health Systems
The National Council of Indigenous Midwives via the Canadian Association of Midwives
Funding: $1,436,435
This project will improve SRH services and reduce barriers for Indigenous, Black, and people of colour (IBPOC), and immigrant women. Training and resources will be developed for health care providers that will support the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) of these underserved communities, including informing Indigenous people, communities, and Nations about their rights to Indigenous midwifery and care that is anti-racist and culturally safe. The project will also develop resources enabling communities to make decisions about their own SRH care.
Supporting Culturally Safe and Trauma-Informed Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare for Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, Transgender and Gender-Diverse People
The Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC)
Funding: $613,688
This project will help to identify and fill information gaps to address barriers for Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse people accessing SRH resources. Through community engagement with Indigenous Sharing Circles, among others, the project will develop culturally safe and trauma-informed training tools and resources to support health care providers who work with these communities.
Métis Women's Voices in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Cervical Cancer Prevention Project
Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak
Funding: $499,446
This project will identify barriers for Métis women and 2SLGBTQI+ communities in accessing SRH services by conducting an environmental scan of existing gaps and developing tools and resources to address their needs. Information collected will be shared with Métis government, health care providers and leaders to support trauma-informed SRH care and establish a foundation for ongoing care and support.
