​​IDRC at the 2026 Canadian Conference on Global Health​

SYMPOSIA 5: Context-Driven Leadership for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Implementation Research: The Case of the ANeSA Initiative (Joint CIHR-IDRC session)

• 1:30 p.m.–3 p.m. 
• Room: Symphonie 2 and online 

Co-facilitated by Katherine Frohlich, scientific director of the CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health, and Nafissatou Diop, senior program specialist at IDRC, this session will explore how locally led, co-created research and implementation approaches can advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and strengthen health systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on experiences from the Addressing Neglected Areas of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa (ANeSA) Initiative*, panelists will discuss how equitable partnerships among researchers from sub-Saharan Africa and Canada, local decision-makers, civil society organizations and communities can generate more relevant, actionable and impactful evidence. 

The session will highlight approaches to addressing neglected SRHR issues, including family planning and contraception, abortion and post-abortion care, adolescent SRHR, sexual and gender-based violence and advocacy for SRHR for underserved populations. Participants will gain insights into practical strategies for fostering trust-based partnerships, strengthening local leadership, and translating research into policy, practice and scalable interventions that improve access to and delivery of health services, especially in fragile settings. 

_{*ANeSA is a seven-year CAD29.9-million initiative funded byIDRC, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC).} 

SYMPOSIA 6: Equity in Action through Co-Production: Lessons from the Women RISE Initiative on Centering Marginalized Voices for Resilient Health Systems

• 1:30 p.m.–3 p.m. 
• Room: Symphonie 3 and online 

Facilitated by Francine Sinzinkayo, senior program specialist at IDRC, this session will explore how Women RISE* research projects used knowledge co-production approaches to engage marginalized women, decision-makers and communities in generating evidence and solutions that strengthen health systems. Drawing on experiences from multiple Women RISE projects, panellists will share lessons on advancing gender equity and resilience through participatory and inclusive research approaches. The session will highlight how meaningful engagement with sex workers, caregivers, community health workers and self-employed women helped build trust, improve research outcomes and influence policies and services that support women’s health and livelihoods. 

_{* Women RISE is a CAD24-million research partnership funded by IDRC, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).} 

WORKSHOP 3: Putting Co-Production to the Test: A Hands-on Workshop Using the RQ+ 4 Co-Pro Framework to Evaluate Gender-Transformative Research in Global Health

• 10:15 a.m.–11:45 a.m. 
• Room: Symphonie 3 and online 

Facilitated by Diego Bassani of the University of Toronto, this interactive workshop will introduce participants to the Research Quality Plus for Co-Production (RQ+ 4 Co-Pro) framework, a practical tool for assessing and strengthening research co-production in global health. Building on lessons from the Women RISE initiative, participants will explore how to evaluate key dimensions of research quality, including partnership legitimacy, power-sharing, intersectionality and positioning for use. 

Through guided discussion, real-world examples, and hands-on reflection, the session will examine how co-produced research can generate more relevant, actionable, and equitable outcomes for policy and practice. Participants will gain practical insights into using evaluation as a tool for learning, capacity strengthening and advancing gender-transformative research that supports global health equity. 

SYMPOSIA 9: Leveraging CRVS Systems to Advance Women's Health, Gender Equality, and Accountability

• 10:15 a.m.–11:45 a.m. 

• Room: Symphonie 2 and online 

Co-facilitated by Romesh Silva, senior technical specialist at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Sana Naffa, senior program specialist at IDRC, this session will explore how countries are transforming civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) data into policies and interventions that improve women's health, advance gender equality and strengthen accountability.  

Drawing on experiences from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Arab States, panellists will share lessons from CRVS system-strengthening initiatives that combine legal reforms, digital innovation, sustainable financing and policy engagement. The session will highlight how evidence from birth registration, maternal mortality, marriage and divorce records has informed critical decisions, expanded access to services and safeguarded women's rights.  

Participants will also be introduced to practical tools, guidance and learning resources developed through the UNFPA-IDRC collaboration and the Centre of Excellence for CRVS Systems to support the institutionalization and sustainability of CRVS systems.