International Women's Health Programme

Current Initiatives

The SOGC Partnership Programme

The experience of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, in its development as a national association, has shown that such professional associations are essential.

National, professional obstetrical and gynaecological associations have a key role to play in:

• Development of policies, strategies and action plans relating to sexual and reproductive health at the national level.
• Strengthening health systems and health teams.
• Development and implementation of standards of practice and protocols of care.
• Monitoring, evaluation and assessment of health services.
• Investigating causes of maternal deaths and identify and implementing best practices.
• Development and implementation of continuing medical education programs for health professionals involved in the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology.
• Identification of social and cultural barriers to women’s health and implement activities to reduce these barriers.
• Debate and provide solutions on controversial issues such as the elimination of harmful practices, access to services independent of age, culture, ethnicity or lack of money, post abortal care services, etc. 

There are many challenges for ob/gyn associations or professional medical associations in many low resource countries in assuming leadership on this myriad of issues for a variety of reasons.  Among the many reasons cited for their absence in this specific area are: weak organizational structures and capacities, closed and limited memberships, lack of resources, interest or commitment to become involved in public health concerns, etc.

The SOGC has undertaken various partnership projects with other ob/gyn associations working in low resource countries or countries in transition.  SOGC and its partners bring the following resources to projects and activities:

1. SOGC’s social capital and reputation as a professional association involved in the promotional of women’s health issues in Canada for more than 60 years.
2. The professional expertise of its members as clinicians, program administrators, researchers, etc.
3. SOGC’s International Women’s Health Program’s sexual and reproductive rights framework.
4. The clinical and public education resources of the SOGC’s national program which is made available to all partners.
5. The services of the SOGC's National Office's “specialists” with regard to membership recruitment, promotion of the specialty, integrated practices, capacity building, policy development, communication and marketing strategies, etc.
6. SOGC’s International Women’s Health education/training and mobilizing tools in Safe Motherhood.  These include ALARM International – A Program to Reduce Maternal and Newborn Mortality and Morbidity and the booklet and pamphlet entitled “Improving Reproductive and Sexual Health:  Integrating Women’s Empowerment and Reproductive Rights”, (available on the Resources section of this site) educational material for health professionals involved in the delivery of essential obstetrical care.
7. Through its participation in the Partnership for Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health and the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology information/contacts/opportunities to participate in and/or contribute to international efforts to reduce maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity in developing countries.  Partner associations thus have access to the latest information / knowledge and best practices related to national policies, strategies and action plans, innovation and lessons learned in the field.  Furthermore, they have access to a wide pool of international and national experts who can be called upon, if needed, to participate in local initiatives.
8. The project planning, management, monitoring and evaluation skills and capacities of the SIWH Program.

Last Updated September 18, 2007