Feds announce expansion to sexual and reproductive health care on International Safe Abortion Day

Sept. 28 marks International Safe Abortion Day drawing attention to the promotion of women’s rights and sexual and reproductive health rights across the globe.

The recent rollback of abortion access in the United States is a stark reminder that women’s health rights remain at risk, says the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC).

“It’s heartbreaking that, in 2024, so many women still face life-threatening risks because they can’t access safe abortion care. While Canada remains a global leader, the fight isn’t over. We must remain vigilant here in Canada and continue to push for better abortion access and abortion care for women around the world,” Dr. Lynn Murphy-Kaulbeck, president of the SOGC, said in a press release. The SOGC also supports a number of global women’s health initiatives aimed at strengthening maternal and reproductive health services in vulnerable populations globally.

The federal government is also marking the monumental day by advancing its Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund with the purpose of removing barriers, increasing access to critical services and supporting community organizations across Canada to help deliver care. Funding includes projects to increase access to safe abortion services for women, youth, and Indigenous, racialized, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

“Being pro-choice doesn’t just mean we support the right to choose. It also means we increase the choices available for women,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a media release.

Earlier this year, Ottawa announced Bill C-64, the first phase of the national pharmacare plan that includes universal coverage for a range of contraception. With $1.5 billion in federal funding, the government is working to make everything from birth control pills, to IUDs, to implants, to the morning-after pill free so women have the agency in their own family planning.

“Abortion is health care. Family planning is health care,” Trudeau said. “It’s that simple.”