Women’s health leaders will unite for Canada’s first-ever national summit to close the gender health gap for good — March 24–25, 2026, Toronto
Women account for more than half of Canada’s population, yet remain underrepresented in health research and underserved in care. For too long, women’s health has been underfunded, under-researched, and misunderstood.
Women’s health is vital – the time for change is now.
Next March, leaders from across the country will convene in Toronto for the first, national summit on the state and future of women’s health in Canada. Presented by Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health™, Vitally Important: Canada’s National Women’s Health Summit is a first-of-its-kind national gathering bringing together the people and ideas driving change, and working to close the health gap once and for all.
Co-hosted by Women’s Health Collective Canada (WHCC), the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH), Pan-Canadian Women’s Health Coalition (PCHC), and the Partnership for Women’s Health Research Canada (PWHR), the event brings together experts, advocates, community leaders and women with lived experience to tackle the issues that most affect women’s health — from prevention and diagnosis to care delivery and innovation — through panels, talks, and collaborative sessions that highlight the science, stories, and solutions driving progress.
More than a gathering, Vitally Important is part of a growing national movement — calling for change while spotlighting the ideas shaping the future of women’s health.
The full program will be announced in the months ahead. Subscribe to our newsletter at vitallyimportant.ca or whcc.ca or follow our socials below.
Dates: March 24–25, 2026
Location: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St., Toronto, ON
Registration: Launching soon — sign up for updates at vitallyimportant.ca
Why It Matters
Women’s health is not a niche issue — it’s vital. This historic event will bring together the organizations, experts, and advocates to catalyze change in women’s health.
Who It’s For
- Researchers, clinicians, and health-care leaders
- Media, advocates, and public thought leaders
- Women who want to learn and be part of change
- Allies and supporters committed to advancing equitable health
Presenting Partner:
Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health™
Supporting Partners:
Hologic Canada | Organon Canada
The Partnership for Women’s Health Research Canada (PWHR) unites the Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI, BC), Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI, AB), the Research and Innovation Institute at Women’s College Hospital (WCRI, ON), and IWK Health (NS) in our common vision of better health for all women, trans, and non-binary people through research equity, excellence, and inclusion. PWHR’s partner institutions bring together more than 915 women’s health researchers addressing health issues across the lifespan from diverse disciplinary perspectives who mentor over 1,400 trainees each year, from undergraduate to postdoctoral and clinical fellows. Their collective contributions to women’s health research span the continuum from basic and clinical science to health services, and social, cultural, environmental and population health research. To learn more about PWHR, visit www.pwhr.org
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The Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) is a proud coalition of more than 100 Canadian organizations committed to improving the health and rights of women, children and adolescents globally. As a trusted convener, CanWaCH connects the people, evidence and partnerships needed to tackle complex health and equality challenges that no single organization could solve alone. The CanWaCH network spans continents and disciplines — from humanitarian response to women’s health research — and continues to grow through our roles as host of the Inter-Agency Working Group on Reproductive Health in Crises (IAWG) and coordinating centre for the Pan-Canadian Women’s Health Coalition (PCWHC). Together, these communities form a powerful collective that strengthens Canada’s leadership and impact in advancing health and rights worldwide.
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Pan-Canadian Women’s Health Coalition
The Pan-Canadian Women’s Health Coalition (PCWHC) is a national initiative working to advance women and gender-diverse people’s health by addressing persistent gaps and under-researched areas. Composed of 10 independent hubs across Canada and connected through a central Coordinating Centre, the Coalition brings together diverse teams with lived experience, sectoral expertise and community leadership. The PCWHC is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Women and Gender Equality Canada as part of the National Women’s Health Research Initiative. The Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) serves as the coalition’s Coordinating Centre.
