Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Summer is well and truly in the air, offering a moment to pause and take stock of the first half of the year. In this special edition of the CanWaCH newsletter, we recap the moments that have shaped us and our membership so far. Grab your favourite cold beverage and dive in!
From webinars to trainings to quick guides, CanWaCH has delivered diverse resources designed to support members as they navigate and respond to a changing sector landscape.
Ahead of International Development Week in February, members of our Public Engagement Working Group (PEWG) collaborated on an FAQ-style blog post addressing some of the most common questions and misconceptions surrounding global health and development.
In March, Transparency International Canada and CanWaCH hosted a crucial discussion on strengthening transparency, accountability and inclusion in health service delivery. Speakers highlighted how barriers to health services for women, girls and marginalized communities are systemic and mutually reinforcing, shaped by governance challenges, social norms and structural constraints in health systems.
In a brief designed for leaders at every level, Global Health and Gender Equality Trends in the Leadership Landscape unpacked current challenges and offered recommendations to effective leadership in the global health, development and gender equality.
Last month, a panel discussion presented in partnership with Médecins du Monde explored the challenges surrounding access to medical certificates for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in humanitarian and development contexts.
We’ve built on what we know, harnessing the power of convening to bridge domestic and global action on common challenges. In March, CanWaCH and Results Canada hosted a roundtable discussion with Canadian policymakers, representatives from global health initiatives, academics and civil society organizations on the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to eliminate cervical cancer in Canada and around the world.
In late May, CanWaCH and Right To Play International co-hosted a two-day forum in Ottawa on advancing comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) as a cornerstone of sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality and youth empowerment. The forum brought together Canadian and global partners, policy makers, researchers, youth advocates and subject matter experts for an interactive exchange on how CSE can be better understood, strengthened and championed across policy and practice.
We attended CSW70 to both contribute to and learn from global discussions on advancing gender equality. Representing a diverse network of partners across sectors, our presence was especially important in the context of shifting political and funding landscapes. Across formal negotiations, side events and informal conversations, a clear picture emerged of a movement shaped by shifting power dynamics, evolving funding realities and increasing ideological polarization. Read our reflections from the forum.
The end of April saw us head to Naarm (Melbourne), Australia, for Women Deliver 2026 (WD2026). Ahead of the start of the conference, several CanWaCH members and partners joined Julie Sunday, High Commissioner for Canada in Australia, and members of the official Canadian delegation for a roundtable discussion. On day two, we were pleased to host a fireside chat with the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, former Prime Minister of Canada. Moderated by CanWaCH CEO Caitlin Goggin, the conversation placed a focus on advancing and protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights. Delivered in partnership with Oxfam Canada, a wider discussion on coalition leadership and multi-stakeholder collaboration followed.
In spring 2026, we collected feedback from our 110+ members through the annual member engagement survey and a series of roundtables in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montréal and Ottawa. Members were candid about the pressures facing the sector, clear about where CanWaCH adds value and practical about the kinds of support they need next.
The Pan-Canadian Women’s Health Coalition (PCWHC) aims to address persistent gaps and under-researched areas in women’s and gender diverse people’s health.
Hubs across the coalition have showcased their resources, learnings and progress through the Grand Rounds! In honour of International Women’s Day, they reflected on the question: What does equitable access to good health look like?
On March 24 and 25, Vitally Important: National Women’s Health Summit brought together leading researchers, clinicians, innovators and changemakers from across Canada for two days of conversation, collaboration and action. Through panels, talks and collaborative sessions, participants came together to tackle the issues that most affect women’s health and chart out a healthier future for women in Canada.
Keep up with the gender and health research landscape in Canada by signing up to the PCWHC newsletter!
The newest edition of our Global Health Impact Report took a closer look at what it means to generate evidence in a rapidly shifting global health data landscape. Drawing on practitioner consultations, the work of CanWaCH’s Metrics Working Group and insights from the 2025 Global Health Impact Summit, the report makes the case for evidence systems that value rigor and relevance, bringing numbers and narratives together.
We hosted Partnering for Impact on May 20, a session highlighting findings, lessons and practical tools emerging from three collaborative projects focused on key challenges in global health and gender equality. Across all three projects, a consistent emphasis emerged on moving from evidence to action. Each Lab combined research, co-creation and testing to develop practical tools and approaches that respond to real-world needs. Our new report highlights the contributions, outputs and lessons generated through this work.
We’ve been thrilled to welcome Women on Web, Mino Care and MSI Reproductive Choices Canada to the CanWaCH membership! Rooted in feminist solidarity, Women on Web provides safe, confidential and affordable online abortion care in almost 200 countries. Mino Care offers access to a range of customized, culturally safe health care services in support of Black women and birthing persons navigating reproductive and perinatal health. Part of the global MSI partnership, MSI Reproductive Choices Canada builds on long-standing efforts to fight for a future where everyone can access contraception and abortion.
In January, we introduced a new series to the CanWaCH blog called The Ask. Through this series, we’ll dig deeper into the ‘who’ of the Canadian global health and international development sector. We’ll sit down with the people behind the projects — folks working in and around the sector who have their own stories to share.
Read the latest stories:
Two sector veterans discuss the rapidly changing leadership landscape in Making space for leadership in a time of uncertainty.
Sarah Knaster, Coordinator of the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on Reproductive Health in Crises, takes us Inside IAWG’s global effort to protect SRHR in emergencies.
CanWaCH CEO Caitlin Goggin reflected on her career path, her influences and meeting a shifting global moment.
Providing the global health sector with key, relevant technical guidance across issue areas and topics identified by member and partner organizations, in a way that is consistent with current best practices, our technical guidance notes continue to improve and evolve from our collective learning.
We’re excited to present revised editions of the following resources:
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 Alli Bunting. Completed nomination forms must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT, Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Have an opportunity that you would like to share with us? Please contact us at [email protected].
Did you like this edition of our newsletter? Forward it to a friend or colleague!
Sent this by a friend? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here.
