Vancouver Women's Health Collective

Health outcomes in Canada are undeniably shaped by social location. Women and gender-diverse people are more likely to experience chronic illness, unmet mental health needs, and dismissal or minimization within healthcare systems—particularly when navigating poverty, trauma, disability, racism, or colonial harm. Vancouver Women’s Health Collective exists to respond to these inequities. Since 1971, our work has centered on advancing health equity through self-advocacy, shared knowledge, and community-led care. What began as grassroots feminist activism has grown into an intersectional, community-rooted collective inclusive of women and gender-diverse people. We provide free, minimal-barrier services through our drop-in resource centre in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Our offerings include holistic and wellness services, advocacy, workshops, trainings, and collaborative clinics delivered in partnership with local organizations and allied practitioners. At the heart of our work is a simple but powerful belief: when care is accessible, trauma-informed, and rooted in dignity and choice, people are better able to reclaim agency over their health and wellbeing. Creating safer pathways to care is the foundation for lasting, community-driven change.