THE Women’s Health Services has put forward three key actions and areas of work to improve women’s health and wellbeing in Victoria.
“All of the Victorian women’s health services agree,” CEO, Women’s Health in the South East Kit McMahon said.
“We need to keep the momentum of change going and build upon the last 30 years of reform, not the least of which is the recent significant reform to our family violence system, gender equity policy and practice and, women’s health.”
The Victorian Women’s Health Services (WHS) wants all parties at the November state Election to act on “three key pillars” of policy:
- Sustain, embed and expand the Gender Equality Act.
- Make healthcare equitable for all.
- Address stigma and stereotypes in our gender segregated labour market.
“We know that the foundations of inequity are found in the systems and structures that embed discrimination and negative gender stereotypes,” McMahon said.
“These structures and systems are pervasive and impact all aspects of our community and economy.”
The platform provides key health, equity and social data demonstrating that more work needs to be done.
“Women take significantly more carer’s leave, use flexible working arrangements, and are still impacted by the pay gap,” McMahon said.
“Women also experience more mental health issues, are admitted to hospital with self-harm more than men and we have seen the rates of heart disease and dementia significantly increase in the last five years.
“Until we confront this gendered view of work we will not be able to care for the workforce that cares and supports all of us.”
The Victorian Women’s Health Services 2022 Victorian election platform is at the WHISE website.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 18 October 2022