Advancing Women’s Health in Canada: A Call to Action

HALIFAX, NS, November 14, 2025 /CNW/ – A new report, The Case for Advancing Women’s Health in Canada, published by the IWK Foundation in collaboration with Deloitte Canada, underscores the pressing issues surrounding women’s health in Canada. The findings highlight the existing gaps in care, the strides made so far, and actionable strategies that can foster transformative changes in women’s healthcare.

The Current Landscape of Women’s Health

Despite the recognized importance of women’s health, considerable systemic barriers continue to obstruct significant advancements. This report emerges as part of a larger, global movement aimed at dismantling these barriers, advocating for women’s full participation across all health sectors, including policy formulation, research, leadership, and care delivery.

Key Insights from the Report

According to Jennifer Gillivan from the IWK Foundation, “Canada has both the history and the capacity to lead globally in advancing women’s health. We can no longer accept incremental progress. It’s time to act decisively to ensure women’s voices, experiences, and health outcomes are at the center of our health system.”

Recommendations for Transformation

The report outlines several strategic recommendations aimed at improving women’s health outcomes in Canada, including:

• Appointment of a National Women’s Health Chair to spearhead a comprehensive National Women’s Health Strategy.
• Development and implementation of a modern National Women’s Health Strategy that focuses on measurable improvements.
• Commitment to a 10-Year Women’s Health Investment Plan, emphasizing long-term financial support for women’s health initiatives.

Zahra Jivan, Healthcare Transformation Leader at Deloitte Canada, emphasizes the importance of collaboration: “Research and innovation can help transform women’s health in Canada but without strategic collaboration, we risk falling further behind. Every dollar invested in women’s health is an investment in Canada’s productivity. Now is the time for a modernized approach to deliver better health outcomes for women and drive economic growth across the country.”

A Pivotal Moment for Change

Canada is at a crucial juncture where honoring its historical commitments can lead to significant, lasting improvements in women’s health. A united effort at all levels of government and within various sectors is essential to drive the necessary changes that will benefit future generations of women.

About the IWK Foundation

The IWK Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of healthcare for women and children, as well as addressing youth mental health and addictions. As the primary fundraising organization for IWK Health, it collaborates with various partners to ensure comprehensive care for women, children, youth, and their families. The foundation is also involved as a national co-owner and partner of Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations and is a member of the Canadian Women’s Health Collective.

For more information, visit www.iwkfoundation.org.

Media Contact

For media inquiries, please contact:
Nicole Slysz, IWK Foundation
Email: info@iwkfoundation.org
Phone: (902) 220-6748