By Dr Maryam Zeineddin
As we celebrate Women’s International Day, it is crucial to reflect on the state of women’s health—an issue that remains at the heart of gender equity worldwide. Michelle Obama once said, "Communities and countries and ultimately the world are only as strong as the health of their women." Yet, despite this truth, women continue to face systemic barriers to healthcare that compromise their well-being.
The Reality of Women's Health
Imagine a woman in your life—a mother, sister, friend, or even yourself—seeking medical help for a condition that uniquely affects women. She is struggling to find a doctor, waiting for answers that seem out of reach, and navigating a healthcare system that was not originally designed with her needs in mind. This is the daily reality for millions of women around the world.
Women’s health is not just about biology; it is a social determinant of health. Access to care is not equal, and factors such as income, location, ethnicity, and gender identity significantly impact a woman's ability to receive medical attention. Indigenous women, immigrant women, those with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community often face even greater challenges. Equity—not equality—must be the guiding principle in healthcare.
The Fight for Equity in Women's Health
For too long, the medical field has overlooked women's health. It wasn’t until just two decades ago that women were included in clinical studies on many illnesses and medications. Today, only 6% of all research grants in Canada are allocated to women’s health.
Even when women seek medical help, they sometimes struggle to be heard. Studies show that women’s pain is frequently dismissed or minimized in clinical settings and society has a high threshold for pain in Women. Women tend to describe their symptoms with more detail, yet this storytelling is often misinterpreted as exaggeration. If there is one thing to take away from this conversation, it is this: When in distress, say, "I am in pain." Full stop. This phrase gets red-flagged in medical systems faster than any other word.
Saying ‘Vagina’ Changed Women’s Healthcare in BC
When it came to negotiating a new payment model for family doctors in British Columbia, the reality of women’s health had to be placed front and center. The problem? Until two years ago, family physicians in BC were financially penalized for spending time with female patients. If a doctor performed a speculum exam to check for gynaecological concerns but didn’t conduct a Pap smear (which is only required every three years), they were not fully compensated for their work. It was a deeply flawed system, and one that devalued women’s health at its core.
Determined to change this, we as physician negotiators stepped into the negotiation room. We deliberately and tactfully used a word that made policymakers uncomfortable. So, we said “vagina” , not once but over 30 times in one hour of negotiations. We all know women's health is more than just vagina: but we were nimble in using the word to be the symbol of women's’ health: thank you vagina!
A Game-Changing New Payment Model
With the collective help of our patients, our various associations and negotiations, the Architects of a new payment model for family doctors were BC Family Doctors , the economic and political voice of family doctors in BC—one that finally values the time, complexity, and specific care required for female patients. Instead of treating all visits the same, this model recognizes that women’s health requires deeper, more nuanced care. It ensures that doctors are no longer financially penalized for providing gynecological care outside of routine cancer screenings.
This shift is monumental. It represents a move towards equitable healthcare rather than just equal healthcare. Equity means recognizing that different groups have different needs and ensuring they receive the right care, not just the same care.
The vagina conversation was more than just a word repeated in negotiations—it was a symbol of a broken system finally being repaired. And thanks to the relentless advocacy of women in medicine, BC now has a family healthcare model that acknowledges the unique health needs of women.
The Role of Advocacy and Action
As we honour Women’s International Day, we must recognize that healthcare is not just a privilege—it is a fundamental human right. Supporting women's health means funding research, advocating for policy changes, and demanding that healthcare systems adapt to the realities of women's lives.
But advocacy also requires women in leadership roles—in politics, healthcare, research, and corporate decision-making. We need to actively support women leaders and ensure that leadership structures are tailored to meet their needs. Too often, the expectations placed on women—both professionally and personally—are unsustainable.
We, as women, cannot do everything for everyone. We must prioritize ourselves, our health, and our well-being. The pressure to be everything—a leader, a caregiver, a supporter—can be overwhelming. But we cannot advocate for others if we are not taking care of ourselves.
The World is Watching BC
The work being done in British Columbia is setting a precedent for women’s healthcare across the country and beyond. The world is watching as BC pushes forward in the fight for equitable healthcare, proving that systemic change is possible.
Most recently, I was the keynote speaker at the BC Women's Health Foundation Illumination Luncheon, sponsored by RBC Wealth Management . They raised over half a million dollars for Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI) and the funds will directly support research aimed at improving healthcare outcomes for women. This kind of investment makes us all hopeful and research translates into better care for all female patients.
As we celebrate these victories, we must also remain vigilant. The hard-won rights of women—such as reproductive choice—should never be taken for granted. Canada has made tremendous progress, including free access to contraception, but we must stand firm in ensuring that the challenges we see south of the border—where women’s health and rights are under attack—do not take root here.
There is an army of us educating and advocating for equity in women’s health, and we know that many women feel lost and unheard in the healthcare system. We see you, and we stand with you.
But advocacy alone is not enough. We need action. We need more research funding, more healthcare policies tailored to women, and more women in leadership positions to drive this change. We need to support the women who are fighting for us, and we must also support ourselves. Women’s health is not just a women’s issue—it is a societal issue, a global issue, a human rights issue. When we advocate for better healthcare for women, we build stronger communities, healthier economies, and a better world for future generations.
BC is proving that a better system is possible, but this is just the beginning. The world is watching. Now, let’s show them what true healthcare equity looks like.
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