BPW International resolves that all Affiliates urge their governments to:
a. advance gender equality by promoting a healthy society and promote health, education, protection, and well-being in all communities;
b. ensure universal and reliable internet access that does not hinge on income or geographic location as per UN CSW67 Technology and the Digital Gender Divide Agreed Conclusions;
c. increase investment in health systems and infrastructure for health education and services and advocate for sustainable funding for that implementation;
d. include governance mechanisms that engage marginalised groups, Indigenous women, childbearing women; women living with disabilities, gender diverse, and elderly women, especially in rural, remote locations, and as stakeholders in a national digital health strategy;
e. create a national information and communication technology (ICT) framework that facilitates alignment between the health and ICT sectors, and which can build globally;
f. mandate a reporting process to measure data on services to marginalised groups, Indigenous women, childbearing women, disabled women, gender diverse, and elderly women, especially in rural, remote locations; and
g. ensure access to education regarding digital and portable electronic device literacy to facilitate the advancement of these goals
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women urge the Government of Canada, specifically the Minister of Health; Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry to expand the internet infrastructure across Canada, particularly in remote and northern communities, to better expand women’s access to health, education and employment opportunities. BPW Canada sponsored a resolution in 2023 “Women’s Access to Health Services and Health Education through Technology” to support this issue.
