Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health services and well-being amongst urban Indigenous women - Implications for Indigenous well-being and reproductive justice

There is a need to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted social and structural health inequities for Indigenous women and gender diverse peoples (2S/LGBTQ+). Ongoing colonial violence and gender-based violence continues to impact the health of marginalized populations, including Indigenous peoples, 2S/LGBTQ+, and sex workers. Historical and ongoing colonial violence has impacted Indigenous sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and Indigenous women face multiple barriers to accessing reliable contraception pre-pandemic. This research will examine how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted access to SRH services and changes in self-reported mental health and well-being amongst Indigenous women (cis and trans) and Two-Spirit peoples, with a focus on structural and social determinants of these outcomes. Nested within a program of Indigenous health equity research and using Indigenous methodologies, this research will involve working with a nested community-based cohort of Indigenous women (cis and trans) and Two-Spirit people (N=300) in Vancouver housed at the Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity. Guided by the Indigenous Matriarch Board, this research will amplify Indigenous voices and inform actions to support culturally safe SRH health, social well-being, and justice for Indigenous peoples. Utilizing the CGSHE's cutting edge KTE resources, I will actively disseminate my findings and make my findings accessible to local and regional Indigenous populations, community organizations, knowledge-users, and researchers.