Improving Access to Sexual, Reproductive Health Services in Prairies

eAwazLocal News

Prairies – The Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Fund was established to support a wide range of evidence-informed and innovative projects that address the pressing needs of people in Canada who are at increased risk for poorer SRH outcomes, such as members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, Indigenous and racialized people, women, youth and newcomers to Canada.

Budget 2021 committed $45 million over three years to improve access to a full range of SRH care support, information, and services, with an additional $36 million in Budget 2023, starting in 2024-25. The Government of Canada is providing close to $1.3 million from the SRH Fund to the Sexuality Resource Centre Manitoba and the Canadian HIV/AIDS Black, African and Caribbean (CHABAC) Network housed at HIV Edmonton.

SERC Learning Management System and Resource Development Project
Sexuality Education Resource Centre Manitoba
Funding: $880,235

This project will improve access to SRH services in Manitoba by expanding current educational offerings on sexual health, pregnancy, safer sex, and relationships. Through partner and community engagement, the project will also develop culturally safer, bilingual tools and trainings to support learning for health care providers and underserved communities including newcomers, 2SLGBTQI+ populations, and youth and their caregivers. Expansion of resources will include, among other things, the creation of diverse and affirming tools for teaching about reproductive organ systems and the launch of a promotional campaign to improve access to SRH information.

Promoting Black Sexual and Reproductive Health
CHABAC Network housed at HIV Edmonton
Funding: $408,060

This national project will leverage previous work to address anti-Black racism and SRH care needs in Black, African, and Caribbean communities. In collaboration with CHABAC Regional Hubs such as HIV Edmonton, the Canadian Centre for Global Studies in Winnipeg, Women’s Health in Women’s Hands and Black-CAP in Toronto, the project will improve access to SRH services by developing and implementing training tools and resources for health care providers in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. Other innovative resources developed will include a SRH awareness campaign, and a helpline for Black, African and Caribbean communities – including 2SLGBTQI+ people, women, youth, and newcomers – to support navigating SRH concerns, resources and services.