The History of IWHC

IWHC Toronto has been advancing accessible, inclusive sexual and reproductive healthcare for more than 50 years.

Our story began in 1975, when the Birth Control and Venereal Disease Centre identified an urgent need for sexual health services that immigrant women could access in their own languages. With Carolyn Egan leading efforts to secure support from Toronto Public Health, the Immigrant Women’s Health Centre was established.

In 1980, we expanded our reach through a pioneering Mobile Health Clinic Program. Originally created to serve immigrant women working in downtown Toronto’s garment factories, the mobile clinic brought healthcare, counselling and education directly into the community. Over time, the program grew to serve workplaces, community agencies, learning centres, places of worship, settlement organizations and other locations across Toronto. The mobile clinic remained in service until 2019.

Today, formerly known as the Immigrant Women’s Health Centre, IWHC Toronto welcomes people of all genders. Our multilingual, all-female team continues to provide compassionate, confidential care in a culturally sensitive and non-judgmental environment.

Although our services have evolved, our purpose remains the same: to reduce barriers, improve access to care and empower every person to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.