A Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) project backed by $357,883 in federal funding will examine the sexual and reproductive health experiences and challenges facing South Asian students in B.C.
The study, led by KPU researcher Dr. Sunny Mangat, focuses on South Asian women and South Asian LGBTQ+ students to examine the barriers international and domestic students face when navigating health services in B.C., as well as the factors that may make them vulnerable to sexual violence, exploitation and other harms.
Supported by a College and Community Social Innovation Fund grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the study will explore how cultural, informational and systemic factors shape students' experiences and access to care.
Researchers will examine issues such as seeking reproductive health care, including abortion and sexually transmitted infection-related services, accessing support after experiences of sexual violence or exploitation, understanding reporting options and concerns such as threats of deportation. Findings will be used to help inform policies, programs and services that support student health and well-being.
Mangat says the project emerged from repeated conversations with students, service providers and community organizations who were seeing similar challenges firsthand.
“I have students in my office all the time who are dealing with issues they don't know who to talk to about,” says Mangat, a criminology instructor at KPU. “I’ve had students who have never been able to come out to anybody before but felt comfortable doing so with me. We need to create that space for these students. Their experiences are real and they need to be documented.”
The project team includes Dr. Tara Lyons, co-researcher and KPU criminology instructor, and Dr. Asma Sayed, Canada Research Chair in South Asian Literary and Cultural Studies in the Faculty of Arts at KPU, along with community partners bringing expertise in mental health, reproductive health, health care, legal services and LGBTQ+ advocacy. Mangat says their involvement will help ensure the findings lead to practical recommendations for institutions and service providers.
The study builds on previous community conversations about gender-based violence and health equity, and aims to better understand students' experiences, identify gaps in supports and services and draft recommendations that improve access to sexual and reproductive health care for current and future students.
“Universities need to provide more support, and institutions at all layers need to recognize that when we're working with marginalized people, their needs are fundamentally different,” says Mangat. “The first step is creating awareness that this is actually happening. It’s not just rumours. From there, we can work together as a community and with institutions to develop supports that better meet students’ needs.”
Community organizations will play a key role in outreach and engagement throughout the study. Among them is the Poetic Justice Foundation, a Surrey-based organization that develops content, workshops and events aimed at addressing social inequalities and bias.
"South Asian students often carry their struggles in silence, and when they do reach out, the systems meant to help them don't always see the full picture. We have to meet people where they're at, and that means understanding every barrier standing between them and care, from immigration fears and language to stigma, family pressure and caste,” says Anita Lal, co-founder and director of the Poetic Justice Foundation.
“Caste is a topic that has been silenced and ignored, yet shapes how our communities experience safety, trust and access. This research is a chance to build services that are truly culturally informed, and that's work we're proud to be part of.”
Another project partner is Sher Pride, which supports LGBTQ+ South Asians, their families and allies. Joshna Hirani, Manager of Community Engagement, says everyone deserves to feel safe, seen and supported when accessing the care and services they need. For South Asian women and LGBTQ+ students, cultural stigma, discrimination, fear and systemic barriers can make it especially difficult to ask for help or know where to turn.
“These groups experience disproportionate levels of barriers with their multiple intersectionalities. At Sher Pride, we believe that creating safer and more inclusive communities starts with listening to people’s lived experiences and ensuring they have spaces where they can speak openly without judgment and be their authentic selves. This research is an important further step toward understanding these realities and building services and systems that respect the dignity, identities and well-being of every student,” says Hirani.
Dr. Sonya Jensen, a naturopathic doctor and author specializing in women’s health, is also partnering on the project. She says sexual and reproductive health remains an often overlooked and under-discussed topic within South Asian communities, where cultural stigma and shame can prevent individuals from openly exploring and understanding their own bodies.
“I have dedicated much of my work to helping individuals better understand their bodies, navigate the changes they experience and cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness and acceptance. This understanding empowers them to make informed, confident choices about their health and well-being. Creating policies that allow for safe, compassionate spaces where individuals feel comfortable sharing their vulnerabilities, asking questions and feeling heard and supported is essential, not only for individual healing, but for building healthier, more connected and thriving communities.”
Students interested in participating in the study can contact shresearch@kpu.ca or email Mangat directly at sundeep.mangat@kpu.ca. More information can be found on the Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Collective website.
