Reproductive & Sexual Health

RSH Portfolio

You can contact the National Officer of Reproductive and Sexual Health (NORSH) at [email protected]. They are supported by senior and junior Local Officers of Reproductive and Sexual Health (LORSH) at each CFMS medical school across the country.

The CFMS recognizes the importance of supporting and advocating for reproductive and sexual health for all Canadians, including maternal health and safe access to abortion, LGBTQ+ health, and HIV/AIDS. In alignment with these values, the CFMS created the Reproductive and Sexual Health portfolio to create opportunities for medical students across Canada through projects and initiatives in the area of reproductive and sexual health.

Projects under the NORSH portfolio:

IFMSA SCORA X-Changes

The SCORA X-Change is a unilateral exchange program for IFMSA members focused on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: sexuality and gender identity, maternal health and access to safe abortion, comprehensive sexuality education, HIV/AIDS and other STIs and gender based violence. Throughout the exchange, participants gain insight into the social and health care situations of the host country and engaged in intercultural education and collaboration. CFMS students can apply to go on 1- or 2- week SCORA X-Changes in other IFMSA countries. These applications open on a rolling basis on short notice usually in the Spring. Please contact the NORSH or IFMSA Coordinator ([email protected]) for updates when the applications open. Please note that SCORA X-Changes are not funded by the CFMS; applicants are responsible for all costs associated with the X-Change including flights, applicable visas, applicable vaccinations, lodging, meals, and applicable program expenses.

International Awareness Days

We aim to recognize important international awareness days. One example of this is “Paint the town red” for World AIDS Day (December 1) to unite in the fight against HIV! Previous themes for this day included “Communities make the difference” and we wanted to show that the reproductive and sexual health portfolio and Canadian medical schools as a whole are a community.

CFMS Reproductive and Sexual Health Topics

Please refer to the following links for more information on the CFMS stance on RSH topics:

• Comprehensive Sexual Education
• Criminalization of HIV
• Health Care for Transgender Patients: Medical Education and Patient Access
• Improving Healthcare for LGTBQ Populations
• Induced Abortion
• Rural and Remote Maternity Care
• Blood Donation Referrals

Collaborations

The NORSH is responsible for collaborations with external organizations relevant to Reproductive and Sexual Health. If you have any ideas or are interested in collaborating, please reach out at [email protected].