Invest in the growth and sustainability of Indigenous midwifery!

March 28, 2019

As Canada prepares to host the Women Deliver Conference, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, the Canadian Association of Midwives, the National Aboriginal Council of Midwives, and Oxfam Canada have partnered to develop the three proposals below to drive progress on sexual and reproductive health and rights in Canada.

We are therefore seeking organizational endorsements for this trilogy of proposals

To endorse, COMPLETE THIS ONLINE FORM or write to sarah@actioncanadashr.org, with the name of your organization and your logo.

1. Invest in the growth and sustainability of Indigenous midwifery and therefore, to the return of birth to Indigenous communities across Canada. >>>

This is an opportunity for Canada to demonstrate to the world its response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, compliance to the Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and commitment to improve the quality of health services delivered to First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Peoples and to ensuring Indigenous Peoples have control over their health services and programs. Bringing birth back to a community has enormous cultural significance and positive effects in all areas of community health, including for women and their babies.

2. Campaigns on Universal Contraception Coverage and the National Sexual‑Ed Initiative >>>

Commit to universal cost coverage for contraceptives for all as part of a call for a national public drug plan that is universal, public and single‑payer, comprehensive safe and effective, accessible and affordable.

3. Develop a national initiative to show support for equal access to high quality sex‑ed, raise public awareness, and build capacity on the positive impact on individual health, public health and gender equality. >>>

This would inform the public of the crucial role sex‑ed plays in advancing gender equality, preventing gender‑based violence, preventing bullying, promoting health, and empowering youth.