The Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) extends its warm congratulations to all newly appointed members of cabinet. We are especially pleased to acknowledge the appointments of the Honourable Anita Anand as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Randeep Sarai as Secretary of State for International Development, the Honourable Marjorie Michel as Minister of Health and the Honourable Rechie Valdez as Minister for Women and Gender Equality. CanWaCH stands ready to work across each of these vital roles to advance health for all.
These appointments come at a critical time for Canada’s leadership in promoting the health and rights of women and children, both at home and around the world. As Canada prepares to host the G7 Leaders’ Summit next month, we urge the government to put women’s and children’s health at the heart of its international agenda. Strong, sustained leadership in global cooperation is vital to building a more equitable and healthy future for all.
CanWaCH welcomed Prime Minister Carney’s recent campaign commitments to uphold Canada’s tradition of supporting the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. CanWaCH encourages the government and the new Ministers to ensure Canada’s international assistance budget prioritizes gender-responsive, equitable and rights-based approaches, with a particular focus on expanding access to sexual and reproductive health care.
We are also encouraged by Prime Minister Carney’s platform commitments to close critical gaps in women’s health research. These commitments mark a vital step toward addressing long-standing inequities in data, funding and care that disproportionately impact women and gender-diverse people. CanWaCH looks forward to supporting the implementation of this important agenda and to ensuring that health research in Canada reflects the lived experiences and unique needs of all Canadians.
Canada has a unique opportunity to step forward to substantively shape a healthier, more just world. CanWaCH is committed to continuing its long history of collaboration with the Government of Canada to realize this vision and ensure that the health and rights of women and children remain front and centre in all policy and funding decisions.
