Dr. Martha Paynter has worked to advance sexual and reproductive health and justice for over 20 years. A writer, registered nurse and public scholar, she is recognized internationally for her expertise in abortion services and prisoner health. She is an Associate Professor at the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Nursing; Director of Nursing Research for the Contraception and Abortion Research Team, a national network based out of the UBC Faculty of Medicine; Affiliate Scientist for the Reproductive Options and Services (ROSE) abortion Clinic at Nova Scotia Health; and a faculty member of the Dalhousie University Health Law and Justice Institute. In 2012, she founded Wellness Within: An Organization for Health and Justice, the only non-profit in Canada dedicated to advancing reproductive justice for people in prisons, and she continues to serve on WW’s volunteer board as Director of Research. She is the author of two books, Abortion to Abolition: Reproductive Health and Justice in Canada (Fernwood Publishing, 2022) and Lawless: Abortion under Complete Decriminalization (Fernwood Publishing, 2025). Dr. Paynter is deeply committed to public engagement and health information democracy and is an experienced commentator for both print and broadcast news media across Canada. She works in close collaboration with grassroots community groups and lived experience experts to advocate for abortion access and prisoner rights. In 2017, Dr. Paynter received the sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary medal from the Senate of Canada for her volunteer service to the country.
