On March 8th each year, we celebrate International Women’s Day. It is not only a day for reflecting and advancing the fight for gender equality but to also shine a spotlight on amazing women around the world that are making a positive difference. Women’s health, and sexual health specifically, is a taboo topic any day of the year but we want to uplift women that are working to dispel the awkwardness and misinformation around the subject.

Kim Vopni
Kim Vopni, also known as The Vagina Coach or The Kegel Maven, is a Canadian online coach in pelvic floor health, pregnancy, motherhood and menopause. She holds certification as a personal trainer, pre/post-natal fitness consultant and fitness for fertility specialist. Kim is the author of ebooks and print books that span the intersection of sexual health and fitness. Her open and humorous demeanour work to create a sense of comfort around discussing these topics. She shares her mission to break taboos and shift how we think about women’s health in talks and on her popular Instagram account.

Dr. Ashleigh Turner
Dr. Ashleigh Turner is a Canadian clinical sexologist, which is someone who offers sex counselling, coaching, and education. Dr. Turner has a Doctorate in Human Sexuality, an Associate in Sex Education and a Clinical Sexology Certificate. She states that her goal “is to help clients gain or return to the sexual functioning they desire.” She is also the Communications Director for Options for Sexual Health which offers current sexual and reproductive health care, information, and education from a feminist, pro-choice*, sex-positive perspective. Options for Sexual Health operates clinics across British Columbia, a help phone and email service called Sex Sense and sexual education classes for students K-12.

Dr. Lori Brotto
Dr. Lori Brotto is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia and Executive Director of the Women’s Health Research Institute. Dr. Brotto received a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from UBC, where she now teaches. She is also a registered psychologist and treats a variety of sexual concerns for men, women and couples. She has written a monthly sexual health column for the Globe and Mail and published a book, Better Sex Through Mindfulness, which shares her research on how mindfulness can help to improve women’s sexuality. You can learn more about her and her research in an interview on The Papaya Podcast.

Sonia Jhas
Sonia Jhas is a Canadian health and wellness coach, author and speaker with a mission to help others overcome struggles with body image and negative self-talk like she has done herself. She shares that mission through media and writing engagements, being featured in prominent outlets such as Breakfast Television, Sirius XM, Huffington Post, and FLARE Magazine. She is also an Ambassador for the Canadian Mental Health Association. Read her recent interview in Babygaga on recovering from childbirth during the pandemic.

Dr. Emily Morse
Dr. Emily Morse is a Doctor of Human Sexuality, on a self-proclaimed “mission to liberate the conversation about sex and pleasure.” She is an expert sex communicator, beginning with her blog Sex with Emily, which covers everything from health and wellness to relationships and dating. She also hosts the #1 sexuality podcast on iTunes and the longest-running sex and relationship podcast also called Sex with Emily. In addition to these outlets, she also teaches a MasterClass on Sex and Communication and is a regular guest expert for Glamour, Bustle, Refinery29, and others. Dr. Morse is massively popular on social media with highly followed Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
What these women all have in common is the mission to bring women’s health and empowerment into the mainstream. Whether they are connecting with clients, students, or social media followers, they are sharing factual advice and information in creative and engaging ways. We applaud them for their leadership and while we’re highlighting them for International Women’s Day, their work is something that should be celebrated every day of the year.