Message from the Minister of Health – International Women’s Day

Message from the Minister of Health on International Women’s Day 2019

March 8, 2019

Today marks International Women’s Day, a day that recognizes and celebrates the many accomplishments of women, while acknowledging that there remains work to be done to move us closer to gender equality in Canada and around the world.  

The Government of Canada is deeply committed to promoting and enhancing gender equality, including health. This includes continued support for maternal health programming and initiatives to prevent gender-based violence. The Public Health Agency of Canada is investing in initiatives that help prevent child maltreatment, teen dating violence, and that equip health and allied professionals to provide appropriate care to survivors.

Recently, Health Canada established a new external Scientific Advisory Committee on Health Products for Women (SAC-HPW). This committee will provide timely patient-centered, scientific, technical, medical and clinical advice on current and emerging issues regarding women’s health and the regulation of medical devices and drugs.

As the Minister of Health, I am committed to collaborating with my colleague, the Minister of Science, to strive for greater sex and gender balance in health research funding, as well as balanced participation of women in scientific studies. Such moves ensure that diverse perspectives guide health research, leading to results that benefit all Canadians.

In late 2018, legislation was passed elevating the former Status of Women agency to a full department - the Department for Women and Gender Equality. I am pleased to support my colleague, the Minister of Women and Gender Equality as she works towards more equitable economic, political and social outcomes for Canadian women, and gender equality.

As a global champion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, Canada is proud to host the Women Deliver 2019 conference in Vancouver in June 2019. The conference is the world’s largest gathering on the health, rights and well-being of women and girls.

I invite you to take a moment today to think about the many contributions women make to our families, communities and country, and to think about what you can do to encourage gender equality at home and your community. We all have a role to play in moving towards gender equality.

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, P.C., M.P.