The FMWC sent a delegation to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York in March 2025. In addition, FMWC held a virtual parallel event during CSW on March 18th entitled: Gender Based Violence and Reproductive Rights in the Current Geopolitical Climate, featuring Drs. Kathee Andrews, Anne Niec and Modupe Tunde-Byass.
April 11-17 was Black Maternal Health Week and FMWC was active on social media during the week.
The Sexual and Reproductive Rights Committee wrote a statement on reproductive rights, stating that Reproductive rights are integral to women’s rights, a fact that is upheld by international agreements and reflected in law in different parts of the world. To be able to exercise their human rights and make essential decisions, women need to be able to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children and to have access to information, education, and services. When safe and legal access to abortion is restricted, women are forced to resort to less-safe methods, too often with damaging or disastrous results—especially for women who are affected by poverty or marginalization, including minority women. It is imperative that women and girls are able to consent to all reproductive decision-making freely without coercion, and that providers, services and centers offer Culturally Safe trauma informed services.
The ability of women to control what happens to their own bodies is also associated with the roles women are able to play in society, whether as a member of the family, the workforce, or government. The FMWC is dedicated to the assurance that the rights of women and girls are fully observed and enjoyed worldwide, and we look forward to continued evidence-based engagement with our partners everywhere in support of rapid progress towards universal enjoyment of universal rights.
The FMWC along with the Black Physicians of Canada and the Indigenous Physicians of Canada had a meeting in May to see how they could advocate better together. As a group they are writing a statement on Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).
Canada had a federal election this year and the FMWC was active, ensuring that candidates knew what the FMWC desired in their platforms. FMWC focused on
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All women deserve access to comprehensive reproductive health care throughout their life cycle, including abortion and treatment for menopausal symptoms.
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All students deserve access to sexual education in schools
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Women+ is a term that embraces women, transgender, and non-binary individuals. All persons regardless of their sexual identity deserve access to evidence-based medical care.
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Women need to be equal participants in medical research. In 2021, there
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Women need a voice at the table where decisions are being made and need a Ministry that focuses on gender equality and the empowerment of women.
There was a Canadian presence at the recent Northern European Regional Meeting in Cambridge in May. Drs. Gail Beck, Judy Patterson, and Shelley Ross attended for Canada.
The FMWC is gathering a contingent to attend the upcoming triennial MWIA meeting in Cairo and look forward to seeing colleagues in person after the virtual nature of the Taiwan meeting required by COVID-19. Several Canadian abstracts have been submitted.
Fig 1. FMWC delegation to CSW 69 posing with Senator Gigi Osler, a past president of FMWC, in New York City, March 2025
Fig 2. FMWC delegation to the Northern European Regional Meeting in Cambridge congratulating new MWF President, Professor Dame Jane Dacre. Left to right: Judy Patterson, Jane Dacre, Shelley Ross, Gail Beck