Committees

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is one of FMWC’s standing committees. This committee is responsible for providing short and long-term financial oversight including budgeting and financial planning, financial reporting, creating and monitoring of internal controls and accounting policies and practices. The finance committee works with the Treasurer to develop an annual budget, set long-term financial goals and ensure compliance with government regulations.

Governance Committee

The FMWC Governance Committee was formed to review the Bylaws and ensure that the Policies and Procedures Manual aligns with the Bylaws.  FMWC strives for diversity, equity and inclusion, and aims to ensure that governance provides a welcoming  environment for all those wish to be members.

Learner Committee

The FMWC Learner Committee is newly formed committee providing a unified voice for the trainee members of the board and those involved with our organization across the country in decision-making processes. The primary focus of this committee is to provide a platform to connect learners at different stages of their medical training (i.e., medical students and resident physicians) and encourage meaningful network opportunities. Of note, the committee takes great pride in its reoccurring “Learner Roundtable” initiative, featuring which topics such as learner wellness, professional and social development, leadership and advocacy related to topical systemic health, gender issues and, more recently, CaRMS tips and tricks.

Military Officer Liaison Committee (NEW!)

The FMWC Military Officer Liaison Committee is a new committee that will serve as a bridge between women physicians in the FMWC, current and retired female medical officers in the Canadian Armed Forces, and civilian women physicians with an interest in military medicine. Its goals are to foster mutual understanding in military medicine, support professional development, and advocate for gender equity in both civilian and military healthcare sectors.

Nominations Committee

The primary role of the nominating committee is to oversee board recruitment and succession planning. The committee monitors executive recruitment closely and seeks out potential candidates for positions on the board. The committee reviews each candidate’s qualifications and ensures they align with the requirements and needs of the FMWC.

Senior FMWC Committee

Senior FMWC is a committee for FMWC members at least 65 years of age. It is based on a similar committee that is part of the Medical Women’s International Association, known as Senior MWIA. The purpose is to allow senior members to be even more involved in the work of FMWC. The initial plan is to produce a webinar series on topics of interest. One such topic is ageism, which disproportionally affects women more so than men. These webinars will be open to all FMWC members, regardless of age.

Sexual and Reproductive Rights Committee

The FMWC has a history of advocating for sexual and reproductive health and rights. We need only look at the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to realize there is much work to be done to make sure that the rights we enjoy are not eroded. The World Health Organization defines sexual health as a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality and states sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. Many topics fall under the title of sexual and reproductive health from family planning, intimate partner violence, to choice of sexual orientation, to name but a few. There is much work going on around the world to ensure that the sexual and reproductive rights of all individuals be respected and FMWC needs to have its voice heard. There is opportunity for many strategic partnerships in this area.

Strategic Partnerships Committee

The purpose of this committee is to find and create potential partnerships that would enhance our growth, progress, and vision and ultimately create collective impact. This committee would look at key stakeholders with an intersectional feminist framework to engage in both monetary and non-monetary partnerships. Examples of possible partnerships but not limited to could be Canwach, ox-fam Canada, Canadian Centre for Women Empowerment, action Canada, PTMA’s, philanthropic donations, Canadian Women’s foundation, femtech companies, pharmaceutical companies, research companies, private equity or media organizations.

Women’s Cardiac & Cerebrovascular Health (WCCH) Committee

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is under-researched, under-diagnosed, and under-treated in women and is the leading cause of death in women worldwide. The Women’s Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Health Advocacy Group was formed in 2018 to advocate for women’s CV health.  Our mandate includes increasing awareness and partnering with female/women-friendly agencies and institutions to effectively translate evidence-based knowledge into practice, within our own profession and the broader community.

Women’s Health Initiatives Committee

The Women’s Health Initiatives Committee is a standing committee of the FMWC, evolved from the former HPV Committee, then Immunization Committee, to reflect an expanded, life-course approach to women’s health.  We lead women’s health awareness, education, and advocacy initiatives with a strategic focus on Women’s Healthy Aging as the umbrella theme for 2026-2027. The Committee exists to ensure that women’s health is approached holistically, evidence-based, and equity-informed, and that FMWC remains a trusted national voice in shaping policy, professional education, and public awareness.

Women, Peace & Security (WPS) Committee

FMWC is a member organization of the Women, Peace & Security Network – Canada (WPSN-C). WPSN-C is a network of over 80 Canadian non-governmental organizations and individuals committed to promoting and monitoring the efforts of the Government of Canada to implement and support the United Nation Security Council Resolutions on women, peace and security.  Learn more by watching the video series now available at https://wpsn-canada.org/fmwc/