Summing up the first six months of 2025 will need a whole lot more than the eight minutes it will take you to read this newsletter. But as we pause and reflect in this special summer edition, you’ll find a recap of highlights that have marked CanWaCH and our membership so far. Grab an iced tea and dive in!
From funding to data to programming, uncertainty has been a recurring theme in 2025. In response, CanWaCH hosted several events and released various resources to help members build their capacity and navigate the changing sector environment.
On February 5, CanWaCH members Alinea International, Cowater International, Cross Border Impact Ventures and Lucky Iron Life participated in a forward-looking discussion on how innovative collaborations with the private sector can play a crucial role in achieving the SDGs.
Ahead of the Federal Election, our 2025 election toolkit and candidate engagement guide sought to help members advance the conversation around global health in digital and physical communities across the country. Our summary of the implications of the election results provided answers to pertinent and emerging questions.
A range of sold-out trainings and workshops provided opportunities to build confidence, share learnings and develop capacity in delivering programming. Virtual coffee chats offered open spaces for conversation. In-person CanWaCH Dialogues in Toronto, Vancouver and Montréal welcomed professionals, colleagues and sector partners for evenings of connection, exchange and inspiration.
Following the discontinuation of funding for the Demographic Health Survey Program, a cornerstone of health data in many countries, CanWaCH launched a two-part webinar series to explore the far-reaching impacts of these changes and what they mean for the future of global health.
Co-hosted by CanWaCH and IAWG, and led by IAWG member CLEAR Global, Why language matters for inclusive health programming in emergencies and development contexts, considered the connections between language, vulnerability and exclusion.
Thank you to everyone who has joined and engaged with us over the past six months!
HERA, the Health Excellence Research Alliance, is the new home of our work as the Coordinating Centre for the Pan-Canadian Women’s Health Coalition (PCWHC). It will also include a growing spectrum of our work supporting critical health research both domestically and around the world. You can keep up with the new sub-brand by subscribing to the dedicated monthly newsletter here and following HERA on LinkedIn and Bluesky.
Launched during our time at WickFest Surrey, FuelHER is helping us connect with the next generation of gamechangers. Together with WickFest, we are building a movement that connects young athletes with global perspectives on sport, health and leadership.
Earlier this year, CanWaCH was also pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on Reproductive Health in Crises, the longest-standing and only global coalition focused specifically on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in humanitarian settings. In its role as organizational host for IAWG, CanWaCH will leverage its expertise in coalition and partnership work, virtual working groups and stakeholder engagement, and secretariat operations to support IAWG’s work to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights for people affected by crises.
2025 marked the 35th edition of International Development Week! CanWaCH and World Vision Canada, on behalf of the Gender Transformative Framework for Nutrition (GTFN) Coalition, hosted a discussion on Canada’s leadership in gender and nutrition and the operationalization of the Gender Transformative Framework for Nutrition. As the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF) celebrates a decade of transformative work in 2025, CanWaCH also joined an impactful discussion in Ottawa with the GFF Secretariat.
CSW69 brought together governments, civil society organizations, experts and activists from March 10 to 21. CanWaCH was pleased to join the session and support the attendance of youth and delegates from organizations across our membership. Reflecting on the session a couple of months on, the delegation sat down with us for a series of interviews. They shared some of their highlights, memorable quotes, challenges and tips for future participants. Read all of the delegation’s insights on Write to Thrive.
On the eve of International Women’s Day, Canada renewed its commitment to global immunization with a $675 million pledge to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. CanWaCH was pleased to celebrate this announcement in Toronto alongside Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, leaders in the sector, grassroots advocates and several CanWaCH members and partners. Co-hosted with Global Affairs Canada, Global Citizen, ONE Canada and Results Canada, speakers at the special event reflected on the power of immunization to advance women’s health and equality.
Alongside civil society organizations with this year’s Civil 7, CanWaCH attended the 2025 G7 summit. As world leaders gathered in Kananaskis to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges on the Summit’s 50th anniversary, one critical truth needed to be part of the conversation: Health is foundational to economic prosperity, global security, and resilience. In the five months to come in Canada’s G7 Presidency, Canada has a chance to lead. Our upcoming campaign, #FiveToThrive seeks to explore, imagine and outline a path towards a world where people are not just more prosperous, peaceful and resilient, but one where they thrive.
There’s a special energy that comes from people gathering to talk, learn, debate or dive into an issue. Our practical guide provides actionable strategies and tools to help you plan and execute an impactful in-person public engagement event. Whether you’re aiming to connect with youth, highlight global health initiatives or strengthen community ties, find event principles and a downloadable checklist to support your efforts!
Our At a Glance series continues to share tips, resources and tools you can easily digest and put into practice in your organization. This year’s releases have included guides to maximize your organization’s LinkedIn presence, work with influencers, improve digital accessibility and unlock the power of Google Analytics.
We’re thrilled to have welcomed five new members to the CanWaCH membership! Farm Radio International works in partnership with radio broadcasters to reach and serve rural communities across Africa. Development Impact Solutions offers customized solutions to business, tech and development challenges, primarily in the global south. Opportunity International Canada provides innovative financial solutions, training and support to people living in poverty, empowering them to build sustainable livelihoods. Oxfam Canada works globally to fight poverty and inequality with a focus on women’s rights. And the Peter Gilgan Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families worldwide with a focus on health, sustainability and charitable excellence.
On May 6 and 7, 2025, CanWaCH hosted its third Global Health Impact Summit in Toronto, Ontario, under the theme Data That Speaks: Actioning Qualitative Approaches in Global Health and Gender Equality Programming. The event brought together Canadian and global practitioners for hands-on workshops, candid peer exchanges, and collaborative workshopping focused on integrating qualitative methods into monitoring and evaluation.
It was inspiring to feel a real sense of camaraderie and solidarity in the room and see the spirit of learning, building and sharing in full flow across presentations, discussions and workshops across the two days!
The CanWaCH Academy returns on September 22! This year’s Academy will focus on strengthening practical skills to help your organization adapt and thrive in 2025. Through virtual workshops and training sessions, participants will gain tools and insights on navigating today’s most pressing challenges — from advocacy and programming to communications and crisis response. Stay tuned for the release of the week-long Academy schedule in our next newsletter.
We’re excited to welcome CanWaCH members and partners to our 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on November 17! This virtual event is your chance to engage directly with the organization’s strategic direction and operations, and to help shape the future of our partnership. Keep an eye out for more details this fall.
After an incredible nine years of leadership and growth, former CanWaCH CEO Julia Anderson, stepped down from her position on May 2, 2025. With the support of KCI Search + Talent, we have officially launched a global search for a strategic and collaborative leader to guide the next chapter of our work. Help us find our next CEO by sharing the job posting with your networks.
We are looking for enthusiastic leaders who can bring their passion and expertise to support CanWaCH’s initiatives and objectives. The current Board of Directors is an extraordinary group of individuals who exemplify leadership and dedication to global health and gender equality. If interested in submitting a nomination form, please email Erin Jex.
