No woman should be left without safe options to exercise her right to bodily autonomy, no matter where she lives.
OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 28, 2026 /CNW/ -- On this International Safe Abortion Day, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) is calling on provincial and territorial governments in Canada to protect and expand access to sexual and reproductive health care across the country.
Too many women in Canada continue to face barriers to reproductive care because services are unavailable close to home, particularly in rural and remote communities. A right to abortion means little if a woman must travel long distances, take time off work, pay out of pocket or wait too long to receive care. Governments must ensure safe, timely abortion services are available in every province and territory. This means better access to medical abortion and more safe, local and publicly covered surgical abortion services, including ultrasound when clinically indicated.
The SOGC also calls on the federal government to do more to ensure women around the world have access to safe, trauma-informed reproductive care, including access to abortion and contraception.
At a time when safe and accessible reproductive health services are increasingly under strain due to political decisions and funding cuts, it has never been more important for Canada to play a leading role on the world stage in upholding women's rights. This means Canada must do more to ensure women in countries experiencing war and humanitarian crisis have access to safe abortion and reproductive health care.
That work includes making sure patients and health care professionals have current information to support abortion care. The SOGC has updated its guidance on medical abortion on the CAPS website, a resource for care providers across the country. These resources include updated clinical guidance and practical tools for health care providers as well as links to information for patients about pregnancy and abortion options.
Also, in 2027, Canada will welcome the FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics to Montréal in partnership with the SOGC. This gathering will bring upwards of 10,000 health care professionals and advocates from around the world together to advance women's health, including sexual and reproductive health and rights.
The SOGC is leading by example in providing tools and resources for women and their care providers to ensure they continue to have access to high quality, safe abortion care. We call on all governments and health agencies to support this work and to provide greater leadership to ensure all women in Canada and around the world have safe and accessible reproductive care that meets their individual needs.
"Canada is a global leader in sexual and reproductive rights, but many gaps in access to services remain. It is unacceptable that women in some parts of the country have fewer options for reproductive care than others. Let's take a 'Team Canada' approach to women's health and make sure every woman in this country has the same access to safe, high quality sexual and reproductive care." – Dr. Nicholas Leyland, President, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.
SOURCE The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
Media Inquiries: Teresa Wright, Communications and Public Affairs Specialist, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, [email protected]
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