July 2019 Newsletter

Dear CanWaCH members and colleagues,

As I marked Canada’s 152nd birthday earlier this month with family, friends and neighbours, I also celebrated my gratitude for the well wishes and support from all of you, CanWaCH’s wonderful members and partners, while I recovered from my injury.

I continue to be amazed by what our sector has accomplished together in the last year. Most recently, through the Women Deliver 2019 Mobilization Canada, 340 Canadian organizations (including many from the global health sector) along with thousands of Canadians advanced the conversation on gender equality around the world. And Canada locked in its position as a leader in advancing the health and rights of women, adolescents and children around the world with the Prime Minister’s announcement of the $1.4-billion, 10-year investment to deliver on the Thrive Agenda. Here at CanWaCH, we are proud to work alongside members and sector partners who tirelessly champion the health, rights and wellbeing of women and children around the world.

As I return from my medical leave to CanWaCH in my new role as Chief Executive Officer, I would like to take a moment to shine a light on the leadership of Julia Anderson, who acted as Executive Director during my absence. Through Julia’s leadership, this team has continued to deliver and greatly expand upon the work they carry out to support our members’ success. I look forward to working together with her to continue this important work in her new role as CanWaCH’s Chief Operating Officer. Congratulations Julia!

While we have achieved a lot together as a membership, there is still work to be done. Through the power of partnership, we will continue to strive towards a world where every woman and child not only survives but thrives. All Canadians should take pride in our country’s achievements in making the world a better place, so Lead On Canada and happy 152nd birthday!

Helen Scott
Chief Executive Officer

Join CanWaCH’s Board of Directors! Call for Nominations

Interested in serving on the CanWaCH Board with a group of individuals dedicated to global women and children’s health? Now is your chance! CanWaCH Board members exemplify leadership and dedication to global health and gender equality, are available to attend at least four board meetings a year (in person and/or teleconference), are willing to sit on CanWaCH’s various committees, and are prepared to serve on the Board for a three-year term. Find out more here.

What you need to know: Thrive Agenda Call for Proposals

Last month at the Canada Pavilion during Women Deliver 2019, Minister Monsef announced that a $325 million call for proposals will be launched shortly as a part of the Government of Canada’s investment of $1.4 billion over 10 years for women, adolescents and children’s health. This historic investment was based upon the Thrive Agenda, a collective vision by our sector for the future of Canadian global health programming. While the precise release date for the call is not yet known, here are four things you can do to prepare now.

Canada Announces $150 Million in New Funding for the Global Financing Facility

On June 29th, the Government of Canada announced an additional $150 million CAD in new funding for the Global Financing Facility (GFF). CanWaCH is thrilled that Canada has increased its pledge to the GFF as a part of the Thrive Agenda. This commitment will continue Canadian leadership in women, adolescents and children’s health and rights around the world.

Just Released: FIAP Action Areas

These NEW Action Area policies will provide additional guidance on what Canada aims to achieve through the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) across all of its international assistance initiatives by informing results frameworks, progress reporting and performance assessments.

Humanitarian Grand Challenge: Request for Proposals OPEN

Through this request for proposals, Grand Challenges Canada will identify and support groundbreaking solutions that engage the private sector and draw from the experiences of affected communities in order to significantly improve the lives of vulnerable people affected by conflict. The goal is to identify solutions that allow communities to respond more nimbly to complex emergencies and take steps to create better lives for themselves.

5 Ways to Stay Engaged After Women Deliver 2019

As Katja Iversen, President & CEO of Women Deliver, asked in the closing plenary, “Now Women Deliver 2019, how will you use YOUR power?”. Now is the time to take what we’ve learned and the energy that we felt at Women Deliver and continue to push for gender equality at home and abroad. Continue to make your voice heard by following these five easy steps.

It’s Time to be Proud of Canadian Leadership in Global Health

This summer, as many of us gather for barbecues, fireworks and family time, you can proudly reflect upon the work that Canadians are undertaking to ensure that some of the world’s most marginalized people have access to quality healthcare and thrive in communities around the world and here at home.

A CanWaCH Wish for Pride 2020: Gender-Inclusive Data

Following Pride Month 2019, CanWaCH is reflecting on how to better support LGBTQ2 people around the world. At CanWaCH, we are committed to bringing Canadian and global partners together to generate solutions to urgent data challenges. While we’ve made some progress, there are several key challengesthat stand in the way of a gender and inclusive world.

ADRA Moments: The EMBRACE Project

MNCH (Maternal, Newborn and Child Health) is one of the most common acronyms used in discussions in global health. Watch the difference that ADRA Canada is making in MNCH through the EMBRACE Projectin Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines and Rwanda.

ARTICLES & PUBLICATIONS

Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2020 Budget, The House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance

Let your friends and family know that you’re proud of Canada’s leadership in global health, Lead On Canada

Reflecting on National Indigenous Peoples Day, CanWaCH

Amref Health Africa Welcomes New Executive Director, Amref Health Africa in Canada

A School for Irene: Girls’ Education in Uganda, UNICEF Canada

Chronique terrain : Sécurisation de la grossesse, L’AMIE en action autour du monde

USA aid policy and induced abortion in sub-Saharan Africa: an analysis of the Mexico City Policy, The Lancet Global Health

Dr. Denis Mukwege Becomes Honorary President, MMS Foundation

Four things we learned about male engagement before, during and after pregnancy, Born on Time

UPCOMING EVENTS

July 15th, Ways to Mitigate & Prevent Gender-Based Violence in Nutrition Programs, Ottawa