WHW News ed1 2011 by Women's Health West

whw news

Edition 1 • 2011 Photo Scout Kozakiewicz

Young women leading the way

find out what they learned and be inspired on

page 12

inside:

A word from the ceo

elcome to edition one of WHW News for 2011, our equity and social justice edition. Achieving equity and justice for women in the west is a big ask, so Women’s Health West use our goals and guiding principles to provide a clear framework for working towards that vision. The programs and projects highlighted in this edition draw directly on those principles to guide our actions, and reflect those principles in their design – in this way, equity and social justice can be identified as our vision, and our method for achieving that vision. The form our goals take might vary between programs, but you will notice a consistency in the way those programs are developed and implemented. Women, and their children where relevant, are fundamental to design and delivery; their human rights are front and centre; and the context in which they live their lives – the social determinants of health, safety and wellbeing – must be understood to effect change.

Dr Robyn Gregory

networks, community, employment and education, strongly supports their opportunity to heal and to achieve a more positive future.

Stay home, have the violence leave p.6

Elly Taylor argues a clear case for a region-wide strategy for improving women’s sexual and reproductive health on page 8 that focuses on the clear interplay between biology, individual behaviour and the social determinants of health that influence sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Violence and discrimination, homophobia and gender-role stereotyping all impact on women’s ability to make healthenhancing decisions. Similarly, the launch of Preventing Violence Together outlined by Erin Richardson on page 14 shows how a region can work together to confront an otherwise overwhelming and pervasive problem – in this case criminal assault in the home.

Escaping family violence can lead to homelessness. Read about our exciting new community education campaign to support women to stay safe at home.

For instance, on page 2, Kirsten Campbell describes a new WHW project, Our Community, Our Rights, aimed at building skills and knowledge relating to human rights. This series of workshops develops women’s confidence to participate and take action on those human rights that affect them and their community.

WHW’s International Women’s Day event also focused on enhancing women’s choices by introducing ways to find and maintain strength. This might be through physical activities like tai chi, Australian Rules football or self defence. Or through creative pursuits like writing, drumming or singing; or more public pursuits like becoming a media advocate against family violence – or any of the other activities depicted on pages 10-11. Regardless of the activity, one clear theme was the importance of our connections with others to our sense of strength and wellbeing.

On page 6, Jacky Tucker introduces a program to keep women and children who experience family violence safe in their own homes, thereby avoiding the homelessness and isolation that compounds experiences of violence. Maintaining connections to social

The young CALD women’s leadership program on page 12 further points to the power of women’s connections to their sense of confidence and enhanced life expectations. Lead On Again participants Trang Nguyen and Vy Dang share the impact the program

Continued p.2

women’s health west – equity and justice for women in the west

Celebrating women’s strength! p.10 What makes you feel strong? How do you maintain that feeling? Find out what happened when 150 women explored these questions together on International Women’s Day.

Equal pay hits the courts p.15 Health promotion worker Erin Richardson reports on the progress of our sector’s gender pay gap case.

Continued from p.1 had on them. On page 13 another young woman, Dunya Ali, outlines her experience of growing up as a Muslim woman in a post 9/11 world, and poses crucial questions to contemplate if we are to value equity and social justice in a culturally diverse country. Another way we express value in our society is through wages – in the health and community sector wages reflect the lower priority given to funding ‘women’s work’, yet the work is demanding, complex and stressful. The ASU pay equity case that Erin Richardson explains on page 15 reminds us to hold the state government to its promise to fund wage rises that reflect the true value of our work. Governments are increasingly cognisant of the need for ‘upstream’ work – that is, taking action to tackle the factors that lead to people feeling unhealthy or unsafe in the first place. This edition shows our expertise in developing programs, projects and partnerships aimed at prevention, alongside our expertise in delivering direct services to women and children experiencing family violence. This puts us in an excellent position for realising our goals of equity and social justice for women in the west.

ISSN # 1834-7096 Editor: Nicola Harte Newsletter Group: Lynda Memery, Jacky Tucker, Veronica Garcia, Nicola Harte Contributors to this edition: Batsi, Catherine Bateman, Debra Wannan, Dunya Ali, Elly Taylor, Erin Richardson, Georgie Hill, Jacky Tucker, Jelena Djurdjevic, Kirsten Campbell, Lara Rafferty, Lindy Corbett, Michelle, Nicola Harte, Robyn Gregory, Sally, Sally Camilleri, Scout Kozakiewicz, Shukria Alewi, Trang Thu Le Nguyen, Veronica Garcia, Vy Dang Photographers: Anne-Sophie Poirier, James Boddington, Nicola Harte, Scout Kozakiewicz, Veronica Garcia, Erin Slattery Illustrations: Isis & Pluto Design and layout: Susan Miller, millervision@netspace.net.au Editorial Policy: Contributions from readers are welcome. Opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of Women’s Health West (WHW). All contributions are the responsibility of the individual authors. The final decision on inclusion lies with WHW and the editor. Content must be in keeping with WHW’s vision and goals. Short items are preferred. Email contributions to info@whwest.org.au and include your name, email address and phone number. WHW reserves the right to edit any contribution. Read this edition and archives of WHW News online at www.whwest.org.au/pubs/WHWnews.php Edition 1 published: May 2011 Deadline for edition 2: 6 June 2011

whw news edition 1 • 2011

Equity & Social Justice Edition Kirsten Campbell, Health Promotion Worker

‘Where after all, do human rights begin? In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Such are the places where every man, woman and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning elsewhere.’ Eleanor Roosevelt, President and Chair of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (1946–1952)

s the World Health Organisation identifies, ‘promoting and protecting health and respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights are inextricably linked’. Human rights are often connected to the determinants of health – that is, the fulfilment (or not) of rights such as education, freedom from discrimination and violence, adequate housing and so on directly correlates to individual and population health outcomes.

Commission (VEOHRC), Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health, Moonee Valley City Council, the Department of Health, and Youth Law, and will overseen by a project management group of WHW health promotion staff.

Women’s Health West locate the goal of equity and social justice within a feminist human rights framework that recognises women’s socio-economic and political status as a causal factor in their vulnerability to discrimination and violence. This equity and social justice edition of WHW News highlights the links between human rights and the social determinants of health. For example, WHW recognise that promoting human rights is essential to achieving equity for women who currently experience a range of barriers to accessing their rights to employment and training, education, health, housing and justice as a result of their socioeconomic or political circumstances – be that experiences of violence and discrimination, ability, refugee status and so on.

We aim to develop a series of workshops that builds the understanding of Horn of African women on human rights and advocacy, confidence to participate in society, and advocacy skills to take action on human rights issues affecting them and their communities. We will then support women to develop and implement projects building on these skills.

While this framework shapes all of our work, a new project, Our Community, Our Rights, is being developed by Women’s Health West to build the knowledge, skills and confidence of women from the Horn of Africa (in the first instance) to understand and take action on their human rights. The project is being cultivated with input from an expert advisory group comprising female leaders from Horn of African communities as well as representatives from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights

‘Women need to know their rights so they can bring about change’ Ethiopian community leader

This is one example of the work that WHW is doing to achieve equity and justice for women in the west of Melbourne, and while the principles of equity and social justice are integrated into all of the work we do, articles that specifically outline our work in this area are identified with this stamp:

For more information on Our Community, Our Rights, please contact Kirsten Campbell, Health Promotion Worker, 9689 9588 or Kirsten@whwest.org.au

Behind the scenes PHOTOS Veronica Garcia

WHW Staff Sally Counselling Coordinator

My working life includes stints as an electroencephalograph technician, tour leader in Borneo and West Papua, artist, community development worker, group facilitator and consultant. More recently I’ve been a happy but broke full time student and have just completed my Masters of Art Therapy at La Trobe University. This is my first job incorporating art therapy and more traditional forms of counselling and is a very exciting new direction for me. Art is such a natural language for children – particularly after trauma when they do not have the words. My secret vision is to work with children to build mini ‘gers’ (felt tents or yurts) as a way to learn how to self soothe while creating a safe place.

Shukria Alewi

Jelena Djurdjevic

FARREP Community Worker

Family Violence Outreach Coordinator

I’ve worked as a volunteer to empower newly-arrived young people in the Western Young People’s Independent Network (WYPIN) where I am the chair person. I use my magic wand to run meetings and represent the committee at community gatherings. I first encountered WHW through Lead On Again, a young women’s leadership program. This FARREP position makes me happy because I studied community health and wellbeing. I have a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and this job integrates my academic knowledge with my community experience. In future I’d like to be a health promotion worker creating positive changes in many young women’s lives.

I’ve recently moved back to Australia after a few years back in Canada. I’ve worked in the family violence field cofacilitating the Woman Abuse Support Program for the Good Shepherd Centres in Canada, as a 24-hour Refuge Helpline Worker, and as Co-ordinator of Waverley Women’s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Service in Sydney. I hope to bring my knowledge of differing systems of response to family violence from the different countries/ areas I’ve lived and worked in. I’m thrilled once again to be working in a feminist organisation and am looking forward to contributing my skills and experience, as well as learning from my colleagues.

Staff Innovation Awards At the AGM in November 2010, the WHW board of directors presented three innovation awards. These annual awards acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of staff to developing and maintaining an energetic, fair and friendly workplace culture. The affectionately titled GOYA, or Getting Off Your Arse award, recognised the efforts and energy of Victoria from the family violence team, a very talented woman determined to get music to the people. Victoria has organised gigs, written music and words, as well as inspiring others to do the same. She has also covered International Women’s Day year after

year on her radio show, making sure the message that violence against women is a crime is sent far and wide. Maat is the Egyptian goddess of truth, justice and balance who prevented creation from reverting to chaos by upholding what is right and just. The MAAT award for attitude and behaviour went to Phuong from the family violence team for her dedication to her work and her quiet achievement. Phuong has worked in the health and community services sector for decades now. She is so experienced, does such terrific work, but never blows her own trumpet. She is always friendly and is a pleasure to work with.

The VITA award went to a Very Inspiring, Totally Active staff member: Sally Camilleri from the health promotion team. Sally has developed a series of terrific projects at WHW, such as Power On, Lead On Again, Financial Literacy and now the antiracism project. She never gives up on a good idea; she never stops looking for new and better ways to do things; she never stops putting in and she has the most wonderful eye for detail – you want her on your committee!

whw news edition 1 • 2011

Behind the scenes WHW Board of Directors Changes in the external political environment are mirrored in our internal environment as the board undergoes a period of change, reflection and renewal.

Chair, WHW Board

This year brings many challenges for the board in relation to equity and social justice. Through the strategic plan, the board has identified a number of opportunities to redress gender inequity and focus on reducing the structural barriers to women’s equal participation in all aspects of life. In particular, the board is paying close attention to the outcomes of the Australian Services Union pay equity case and is actively participating in advocacy to ensure that ‘women’s work’ in the community sector is valued. The board is also keeping an eye on the implementation of the newly signed National Health Agreement and its impact on community services. These reforms must be underpinned by principles of equity, and prevention must remain on the health agenda.

Catherine Bateman Incoming Director, WHW Board

I’ve been involved with my current employer YWCA Victoria for over 12 years. Starting as a client in a young women’s leadership program, I volunteered for a period and was then employed to coordinate a program helping young homeless women find social, economic and educational solutions. I now run a program for young women focussing on health, body image, peer and intimate relationships, sexuality and negotiation.

whw news edition 1 • 2011

I would also like to welcome our two newest board directors - Catherine Bateman and Lara Rafferty. The board is purposeful in our succession planning to ensure we attract women who fit with our organisational values and who can add value to our deliberations. Both Lara and Cath bring diverse skills, experience and passion that complement and strengthen our existing mix of women on the board. I am delighted to hold the position of chair in 2011 and look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the board, staff and community partners towards our shared vision of justice and equity for women of the west.

I have run programs for long-term unemployed women and worked as a consultant in community program development and evaluation. I am currently conducting a research project with the women’s organisation Femin Ijtihad focussing on gender mainstreaming in Afghanistan. I am a ‘full frontal feminist’ and believe strongly in the work that organisations like Women’s Health West do to improve the health and wellbeing of a diverse range of women. My special interest is in the complexities of sexuality education, particularly changing the current culture around consent for young women. I’m really looking forward to contributing to the work of Women’s Health West and thank the board for this opportunity.

Lara Rafferty Incoming Director, WHW Board

As the Manager of People and Fairness within Human Resources at the University of Melbourne, I lead a team of consultants who provide advice to enhance staff equity and diversity. My professional and personal interest in justice and equity, particularly involving people with disabilities and women, means I’ve spent 15 years working to serve these interests in the community sector and vocational and higher education. I’ve worked in an advocacy service for people with disabilities in southwest Victoria, coordinated disability services for students within TAFE and universities, and taken on student and staff equity roles to develop appropriate policies, practices and culture. I have also been a community visitor for mental health services, visiting inpatient mental health facilities and responding to problems raised by residents, and have volunteered in other community organisations. Having been a resident of the western suburbs for nearly ten years, I’ve got a sense of the important work being done by Women’s Health West from various reports, including the recent history of the organisation. I am excited about making a contribution as a board director, with the work of the organisation very closely aligned with my own feminist values and professional skills. I also look forward to meeting more of the staff and other members hopefully before the next AGM!

PHOTOS Georgie by Erin Slattery, Lara and Catherine supplied own photos

Georgie Hill

This year, two longstanding and valuable board members have resigned to pursue other opportunities. On behalf of the board, I would like to acknowledge Meg Bumpstead (Chair, 2010) and Naomi Raab for the significant contribution of time, wisdom and energy they have made to Women’s Health West.

A Healthier Future For All Australians? Robyn Gregory, CEO

One of the guiding principles of Women’s Health West’s strategic plan is a recognition that the conditions in which people live are shaped by political, social and economic forces that we must take action on to achieve better outcomes for health, safety and wellbeing. As a result, when the 2009 report of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission outlined reforms designed to achieve three main goals including ‘Tackling the major access and equity issues that affect health outcomes’, WHW was understandably excited. The report as a whole provided strong support for the social model of health, including a focus on disadvantage, prevention and population health.

s the process has panned out, though, the initially ambitious goals of the commission have been largely replaced by hospital reform. Broader primary care, prevention and health promotion may need to look to other reform processes to see the sorts of changes initially advocated.

One example of the potential for medical dominance followed the federal government’s move to only invite divisions of general practice (DGP) to apply for funding to establish a network of primary health care organisations (PHCOs) – or ‘Medicare Locals’ – across Australia. PHCOs were planned as ‘independent legal entities with strong links to local communities, health professionals and service providers, enabling them to respond more effectively to local need, provide more co-ordinated care, improve access to services, and drive integration across the

social and economic forces that we must take action on to achieve better outcomes for health, safety and wellbeing.

meeting. Concerns included the role and governance of PHCOs, where prevention and the social model of health might sit, and worry that a one-size-fits-all model might sell Victoria short. Broader primary care services were not included in the COAG agreement that followed the consultations. While PHCOs are to go ahead, there has been a re-think of the boundaries and numbers of PHCOs, with other primary care organisations invited to apply in a second round.

primary health care, hospital and aged care sectors’. In Victoria, a similar role has been undertaken since 2001 by 31 regional state-government-funded Primary Care Partnerships (PCPs). PCPs comprise a diverse range of member agencies from within and outside the health sector, including DGPs, which are private businesses designed to support general practitioners. The newly-elected Victorian government picked up on state concerns, with Health Minister David Davis undertaking consultations across Victoria in the lead up to the February 2011 Council of Australian Governments (COAG1) 1 COAG is the peak inter-government forum in Australia with responsibility for the development and monitoring of national policy reforms that require cooperative action by Australian governments

As the Victorian Healthcare Association has noted, it remains to be seen whether the emphasis in primary health care policy overstates the capacity of PHCOs to plan and coordinate services, while downplaying the importance of a centralised state government role in planning and coordinating services that ensure all communities have access to services provided under consistently applied policies. The current reform process should allow time for WHW and other organisations to consider how we might participate in a manner consistent with our strategic vision of equity and justice for women. We have provided strong leadership in prevention and health promotion in our region to date and will continue to advocate for a clear role for these in health reform policy and practice, where the key goals should be to maintain and improve the health status of the entire population, and to reduce inequities in health status between population groups. We will continue to advocate for that outcome.

ILLUSTRATION Isis&Pluto

While access to general practitioners and hospital beds are vitally important to individual health outcomes, the factors that determine population health – and the professions that contribute to health care in Australia – are much broader. Instead, the Australian Medical Association appears to have captured the ear of the federal government, leading to narrow GP-focused definitions of primary health care, and widespread concern that a shift to a commonwealth funding model could result in a deterioration, rather than enhancement, of broader primary healthcare services, such as our unique women’s and community health programs.

The conditions in which people live are shaped by political,

Staying home, leaving violence Jacky Tucker, Manager, Family Violence Services

he move to support women to remain in the family home has been articulated in national and state governmental reports and legislative amendments. The Federal Government’s 2008 white paper The Road Home: A national approach to reducing homelessness focused on making it safe for women and children to remain in, or return to, the family home in order to reduce the number of women and children who are homeless because of family violence. Here in Victoria, the Family Violence Protection Act now includes conditions empowering courts to exclude the perpetrator from the family home and the Victorian Tenancy Act was amended to allow tenancy agreements to be changed at no cost to the woman. Then in 2009 Time for Action, the national plan to reduce violence against women and their children, called for Australia-wide legislative changes to remove perpetrators from the home and for additional support services for women and children to assist them to remain safe in the family home. The Federal Government built on this work and introduced a nationallyfunded ‘Safe at Home’ program. In 2010 the Western Integrated Family Violence Partnership (WIFVP) successfully obtained funding to deliver the ‘Safe at Home’ program in the western region of Melbourne. Our program:

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Provides specialist workers to assess safety and support needs to assist women and children to stay at home

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Makes brokerage funds available to enhance the security of the family home, for example installing or changing deadlocks, security doors and lighting, and home alarms

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Will implement a community awareness campaign to promote the message that women and children have the right to remain safely in the family home and have the perpetrator leave Will promote evidence-based practice by undertaking a longitudinal evaluation on the impact of the ‘Safe at Home’ initiative on women and children’s safety

A WIFVP delegate visited Bega, New South Wales, to take a closer look at their ‘Safe at Home’ project, paying particular attention to their community awareness campaign. The Bega team were very generous with their time and resources; they shared their ideas and gave us permission to publish a Victorian version of their safety planning notebook. The WIFVP realised the importance of introducing a similar campaign in the western region when they saw the bag full of Bega goodies including pens, posters, stickers, pamphlets and fridge magnets all with the same theme: ‘staying home, leaving violence’.

‘I’ve got my confidence back. I feel safe in my home as I didn’t have to leave it behind and start somewhere else.’ WHW Family Violence Services client ‘Safe at Home’ is a national initiative so we decided to remain consistent with other jurisdictions and use the Safe at Home: ‘Staying Home, Leaving Violence’ tagline to -

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Develop a website to provide information and resources about family violence and being safe, explain the impact on children, list contact details for support services and share links to other Safe at Home programs across Australia

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Promote the message on branded pens distributed to local police

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Distribute posters through community services, GP offices, Centrelink and other community organisations

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Distribute the safety planning notebook to frontline crisis agencies across the region including homelessness services, courts and police

So far we have supported fifteen women and their children to remain safely in their home through support and a range of measures from changing locks to installing extensive home security systems. The important element of this approach is that women have the opportunity to remain in their homes, which not only enables them to retain their support networks networks – including education and employment – but provides a much needed sense of stability for women and their children. The current members of the Western Integrated Family Violence Partnership (WIFVP) are Western Region Health Centre, Women’s Health West, Molly’s House, McAuley Community Services for Women and MacKillop Family Services

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LOGO DESIGN Isis and Pluto

Family violence is recognised as the single largest cause of homelessness in Australia. This is because, traditionally, the family violence response system including police and the courts, was built on the premise that all women must leave the family home to be safe from future violence from their partner or ex partner. Leaving the family home causes a high level of disruption including disconnection from employment, community, school, friends, family and other support networks. Thankfully this mode of thinking has been changing and now leaving is not the only option open to women.

24 hour crisis response Michelle Vranic, 24 Hour Crisis Response Co-ordinator and Batsi, Crisis Response Outreach Worker

Women’s Health West (WHW) introduced a crisis outreach after hours service in 1999 to supplement our business hours family violence support. Workers were available to provide telephone support until midnight on weekdays and 24-hours on the weekend. In 2006, the state government introduced the Integrated Family Violence Reforms across Victoria and as a result, funding was available to substantially expand this service. The service now provides face-to-face support to women and their children after hours from 6pm to 8am on week nights and 24-hours over the weekend.

ictoria Police attend over 30,000 family violence incidents a year and police refer the victim of family violence generally women to regional women’s domestic violence outreach services; perpetrators – generally men – to the Men’s Referral Service (MRS); and children to Child Protection and Family Services. These referrals from police are sent to agencies via a fax, so they are often called a ‘faxback’. In 2009, MRS was funded to provide a weekend phone response to police ‘faxback’ referrals. Women’s family violence services advocated for funding to develop a similar service for victims of family violence, particularly in response to concerns for women’s safety in this period. In 2010, Women’s Health West in partnership with McAuley Community

Services for Women and Molly’s House Refuge were funded to provide an enhanced 24-hour crisis response program that incorporated a response to police ‘faxback’ over the weekend. In September 2010 the Western Integrated Family Violence Partnership (women and children) introduced two new programs that sit alongside the WHW After Hours Service and formed a new 24-hour crisis response. The new components of this program are outlined below:

Crisis Outreach Response Worker The crisis response worker offers women immediate face-to-face support involving crisis intervention, risk assessment, safety planning and advocacy, as well as practical assistance such as transport,

court support and referral for ongoing case management, including housing assistance and family support. The crisis response worker is available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Her work mirrors the after hours response in that she provides women with outreach support at designated safe locations including police stations, local hospitals, and community agencies. In the period from October 2010 to January 2011 the program has responded to 35 requests for immediate crisis support.

Women’s After Hours Family Violence Service in the West (Fax back response) The Women’s Health West Family Violence Service has established protocols with Victoria Police to respond to referrals for female victims of family violence. This means a worker is available from 10am to 4.30pm Saturday and Sunday to contact women referred by police. Since its inception, the service has responded to an average of 50 weekend ‘faxbacks’ per month.

Photo Erin Slattery

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Working to prevent

sexual & reproductive ill health

Elly Taylor, Health Promotion Worker

Like other areas of health, sexual and reproductive health is influenced by a complex interplay of biological, psychological and social determinants. These factors create conditions in which women and girls, for the most part, experience poorer sexual and reproductive health when compared with men and boys. As a result, women and girls in the western region will only experience sexual and reproductive freedom and autonomy when they have access to equity and social justice.

Some indicators of poor sexual and reproductive health

•• Poverty affects women’s ability to access health services, contraception, abortion, and timely screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections

•• One in five Victorian women experience sexual violence and coercion, which increases their likelihood of having an unwanted pregnancy, having an abortion and various other poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes

•• Almost one in three female year 10 students reported having unsafe sex the last time they had intercourse because of their partner’s dislike of condoms

•• While abortion is part of the reproductive experience of one in three women, there is only one service in Melbourne’s west that performs abortions

What are the social determinants of sexual and reproductive health? The social determinants of health are the social, cultural and economic conditions in which people live that determine their health and wellbeing. Examining the social determinants of sexual and reproductive health is a relatively new idea, so Women’s Health West (WHW) produced a literature review titled Social Determinants of Sexual and Reproductive Health. The report examined the seven social determinants of sexual and reproductive health. These are:

•• •• •• whw news edition 1 • 2011

Poverty and socio-economic status Violence and coercion Gender norms

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Education

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Access to affordable and appropriate health services

The role of the law and public policy Social exclusion and marginalisation, and

WHW looked at the ways these factors influence and exacerbate poor sexual and reproductive health for many communities living in Melbourne’s western region. We also found that in order to prevent many forms of ill health and disease, prevention programs that respond to the social determinants of sexual and reproductive health are needed.

in the western region

What do we know about preventing poor sexual and reproductive health?

A regional approach to sexual and reproductive health Over the past three years WHW has led this regional approach to sexual and reproductive health by developing organisational capacity, regional partnerships and a strategic approach. In 2009, we published Women in Melbourne’s West: A Data Book for Program and Service Planning in Health. The data book provides statistical information about the current sexual and reproductive health status of women in this region, growing health concerns and identifies the groups that are most affected by poor sexual and reproductive health. We then compared the regional sexual and reproductive health concerns with the existing services to identify gaps in health services, program coordination and organisational capacity. This mapping and needs analysis showed

that population groups such as people living with a disability, Indigenous people, people coming in and out of prisons and people who inject drugs, find it most difficult to access appropriate sexual and reproductive health services. We have combined these findings with those identified in the literature review to create a sexual and reproductive health action plan for the western metropolitan region. In the coming months WHW and key partner agencies will develop and implement a comprehensive regional sexual and reproductive health strategy. This strategy will work to redress the social determinants of their sexual and reproductive health that impact upon community groups experiencing significant sexual and reproductive ill health. Research shows that this approach is the most effective way of reducing – and most importantly preventing – sexual and reproductive ill health and will bring us closer to our goal of achieving equity and justice for women in the west.

For more information about this work or for a copy of the WHW’s Mapping and Needs Analysis 2010 or Social Determinants of Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2011 report call 03 9689 9588 or email info@whwest.org.au

ILLUSTRATIONS Isis & Pluto

The good news is that international and national studies now show that we can prevent many sexual and reproductive health problems. The World Health Organisation insists that the most effective way of preventing sexual and reproductive ill health and disease is to work to tackle the social determinants. At the same time we need to improve coordination between sexual health services to ensure they are meeting the health needs of women in the west. This approach is not simple but it is the most effective way of creating real health improvements, particularly among the most disadvantaged communities.

The work highlights an under-resourcing of… sexual and reproductive health services… for… women in and coming out of prison, Indigenous women, same-sex attracted women, women who inject drugs, sex workers and women living with a disability

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I Am Strong,

We Are Strong

Celebrating women’s strength on the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day Nicola Harte, Communications Coordinator

Two towering stilt-walkers. One magical fairy trailed by ten kids with faces painted as lions, dinosaurs and butterflies. One hundred women talking, laughing, singing, drumming, dancing and balancing on top of each other to create a human pyramid. One happy, organised, colourful, noisy and chaotic atmosphere. One hundred years of celebrating International Women’s Day.

his was the scene at Footscray Community Arts Centre on the first day of March when over 100 women gathered for a vibrant and colourful celebration of women’s strength. The first International Women’s Day, marked 100 years ago, has become the major day of global celebration of the social, political and personal achievements of women. We wanted women in the western region to be part of this special world-wide celebration by highlighting the ways that women find and maintain their inner strength. A free community event, I Am Strong, We Are Strong was designed as a fun way to introduce women to new strengthening activities such as tai chi, circus skills, self defence, footy, drumming, writing and singing. Women joined in easy to follow Zumba routines, followed by a relaxing massage and Henna tattoo. Other women polished up their resume, stencilled t-shirts, learnt

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about famous women writers and wrote some words of their own, and found out about becoming a media advocate against family violence. ‘We want women to walk out feeling strong and supported, while having fun with other women and trying activities they might want to pursue later,’ explained Dr Robyn Gregory, CEO of Women’s Health West. We asked women to write what makes them feel strong and tie these insights to a clothesline festooned with luridly coloured lanterns, here’s what some women had to say:

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Being a woman and fighting for my rights. My achievements, my family, my friends.

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My children, the desire to live, sunshine, humans.

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Being with other women who understand. Laughing, singing, knowing I am loved and that I love myself.

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My kids keep me strong and pushing forward to a better future, even when I feel I have hit rock bottom. My family and friends give me positive reassurance.

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I gain strength from singing and being around empowered women!

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Being with other women makes me strong – women are strong even when they feel that they are pushed down and stomped on – there is no strength like a woman especially when she has to protect her children.

The common theme is clear: one way that women maintain our strength is through our connections with one another.

Colleen Marion, CEO Western Suburbs Indigenous Gathering Place gave a moving Acknowledgement of Country to start the day Dr Robyn Gregory, WHW CEO

I Am Strong, We Are Strong would not have been possible without the enthusiasm and energy of a highly dedicated steering committee of organisations from around the region. Women’s Health West extend our sincere gratitude to our partners Footscray Community Arts Centre, Victoria Police, Women’s Circus, Melton City Council, Maribyrnong City Council, Wyndham City Council, Ascot Vale Leisure Centre, Western Region Health Centre, Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service and the Victorian Writers’ Centre.

We would also like to acknowledge and thank Maribyrnong City Council (Community Grant Program) and the Western Integrated Family Violence Committee for their funding support.

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PHOTO Anne-Sophie Poirier

We are also extremely grateful to a host of very talented people who ran workshops and thank the Victorian Women’s Football League, Celestial Tai Chi College, Magic Movements Self Defence, YWCA Victoria, St John Ambulance, Mzuri Dance, Isobel Hodges the Zumba instructor, Val and Susan our massage therapists, Savita the Henna artist and of course, Fairy Caitlin.

‘Leadership’ in MY Life-Dictionary

Kirsten Campbell, Health Promotion Worker Trang Thu Le Nguyen and Vy Dang, Lead On Again participants

ead On Again 2011 was a powerful week that brought together thirteen young women from diverse backgrounds, two peer educators, two facilitators and a range of guest speakers to build the confidence and ability of young migrant and refugee women to be leaders in their communities.

from 24-28 January, facilitated in partnership by Western Young People’s Independent Network (WYPIN) and Women’s Health West. Workshops included conflict resolution, healthy relationships, leadership qualities, public speaking, planning events, and human rights and politics.

The program was held at the Phoenix Youth Centre in Footscray

Our emphasis was on practicing the leadership skills learned, so at the end

of the week the participants organised a panel discussion by leaders from migrant and refugee backgrounds. After the program, they planned and held a graduation ceremony that involved family and friends. Many participants now plan to become involved with projects that require and further develop leadership skills, including those run by WYPIN.

Narratives by the young women: Leadership was a ‘fancy-skill’ that I have not thought much about since I came to Australia nearly two years ago, but after the Lead On Again program this word appears regularly in my ‘life-dictionary’. I changed and learned a lot, especially about myself, things I did not expect at all from Lead On Again.

I met amazing people during the program:

••

The leaders, Anna and Kirsten, worked really hard so we could have such a successful program

••

The panel guests and speakers who not only gave us useful information but also inspired determination, optimism and greater efforts

••

And all of the participants who are so friendly and sweet. We worked well together as team mates, helped and learned from each other and shared our different experiences, our love and our ‘little things’. For me, they are some of the kindest friends I have ever had in Australia, friends for life.

Activities and food were the highlights of the program. The activities not only helped us relax and have fun but resulted in connections and understanding between team mates. Each day we ate food from different countries five countries overall - and all of them were delicious! Lead On Again was the most remarkable program I have ever taken part in here in Australia. If you young people want to experience these great things like me, joining the Lead On Again program is a splendid chance of doing it. You will definitely get more than you ask for. From Trang Thu Le Nguyen with love!

Public speaking was difficult at first and for some it was their first time talking in front of a group. It was a bit daunting but everyone was very comfortable once they began to tell their amazing and touching stories. Through this, our confidence and friendship soared. We were given a chance to develop our organisation and teamwork skills - essential to becoming a leader - by planning an event and a panel discussion for four influential leaders. They shared their experiences with us and gave us extremely useful leadership tips that we can all use right now. All in all, the program is a very worthwhile experience. Develop new skills, gain knowledge and meet incredible people who are very amiable and determined to make a difference in the world. Vy Dang ‘This program is the best. Honestly, I have learned so many new things, met lots of new friends… I guess we all can carry it for the rest of our lives…’ Participant Evaluation

PHOTOS Scout Kozakiewicz

I learnt skills like team work, public speaking, decision making and conflict resolution, all of which are really necessary for a good leader and are likely to help me in my future career or even just in my normal life. I also gained knowledge of sex education (healthy and unhealthy relationships, STIs), traditions and cultures of different countries, body image, human rights and politics.

Lead On Again is a leadership program for young women from diverse cultural backgrounds including Burmese, Chinese, Ethiopian, Thai and Vietnamese. Sessions on healthy relationships, body image, human rights and conflict resolution gave us a clearer understanding of ourselves and the community.

A young Muslim woman’s perspective on racism

Dunya Ali (Not her real name)

Women’s Health West is involved in many programs with women from diverse backgrounds and over the years we’ve had many conversations about the difficulties associated with making their way as young women who want to thrive, who want to be educated and who want to make their families proud. Many of these conversations reflect the difficulties associated with facing racism and being seen as a representative of – often misunderstood – communities. This is the voice of one such young woman.

Muslims, especially African Muslims, are new to Australia.1 It’s hard. As refugees we are not only getting over a lot of the things that happened to us before we arrived, but we are ‘visibly different’. Many experience racism and discrimination and do their best to cope. Parents in my community are – like all parents - concerned for their children, though for them that means, ‘it would be great if my kids don’t end up in jail’.2 Young Muslim women are under a lot of pressure, not only because of our duties in the home and our responsibility for upholding our family and cultural values, but also because we represent our communities in mainstream Australia. Many of us wear the hijab and so we are even more visible than young Muslim

‘In the last three decades, many Muslims have migrated to Australia under refugee or humanitarian programs, and from African countries such as Somalia and Sudan. Australia’s Muslim communities are now predominantly concentrated in Sydney and Melbourne. Since the 1970s, Muslim communities have developed many mosques and Islamic schools and made vibrant contributions to the multicultural fabric of Australian society.’ Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 2008, accessed January 2011, http://www.dfat.gov.au/ facts/muslims_in_australia.html

men. We are watched by everyone and our actions have repercussions on how the mainstream community views us, our religion and our community. For those of us who speak English and socialise with other Australians, conversations usually end up being about religion, which makes me feel apprehensive. People tend to make a link between our religion and terrorism. They ask why lots of Muslims are terrorists. How am I supposed to answer that? Who can answer a question like that? I feel some shame when I wonder how this killing and ‘terrorism’ can come from us. Everyone knows that this is not what Muslims do; it’s not Muslim. Everyone, except non-Muslims, knows this. But how can people like us when, to them, we embody this horrible killing? Throughout history western religious groups have committed horrors in the name of their beliefs, but when Muslims commit atrocities all Muslims are brought under suspicion. I wonder if this is because we appear exotic and different.3

‘African Australians expressed concern about the negative coverage their communities received in the mainstream media [often triggered by comments from public figures, which influenced overall perceptions of their communities and undermined their relationships with the broader Australian community. They also perceived that members of their communities] especially young people, received increased scrutiny from police and other law enforcement agencies.’ Australian Human Rights Commission 2010, In our own words - African Australians: A review of human rights and social inclusion issues, Sydney, p13.

We must work towards dispelling the negative and misleading discourse in the mainstream media about Islam and the many, many, many good Muslim people out there. Young women are the leaders of tomorrow and we need to build a bridge between mainstream culture and Muslims living in Australia. To do that we must be educated, articulate and have a good knowledge of systems in Australia; at the same time we must stay in touch with the grass roots to reflect and represent the needs of our communities. We are the voices of families and communities so we must be willing and brave enough to speak on behalf of them. This is all too much pressure - but I know if we are able to switch something in one person’s mind, just make something click, that is enough. That will help bring us all together.4

‘When a terror attack is perpetrated by militant Muslims, the analysis stops at their Muslim identity. When some other grotesque act of violence is committed by a non-Muslim, such as the Port Arthur massacre or the Snowtown murders, we do not ask what is wrong with us as Australians, we try to understand the individual’s motives. It’s a double standard.’ Waleed Aly, Chair of the Victorian Islamic Council

Do you think that mainstream Australians should bear some of the responsibility for preventing racism?

Contact WHW if you’d like to be involved in our anti-racism project, 9689 9588 or email sally@whwest.org.au

whw news edition 1 • 2011

ILLUSTRATION Isis&Pluto

’m told that people want to know what life is like for a young Muslim woman in Australia. It became a lot harder to live as a Muslim in a western country after 9/11 and I think a lot of people are not aware of the challenges we continue to face in a post 9/11 world.

Preventing Violence Together

Joan Kirner AM launches new action plan to tackle violence against women in the west Erin Richardson, Health Promotion Worker

Last year WHW News outlined the development of Preventing Violence Together: The Western Region Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women. In this edition, we bring you all the news and photographs from the very special launch event.

WHW CEO Robyn Gregory with western region MP Wade Noonan

whw news edition 1 • 2011

The launch was held over a delicious breakfast at the Substation in Newport. Over 100 important guests were in attendance, including councillors and Mayors of local councils, CEOs, and western region MPs Wade Noonan and Colleen Hartland. The action plan was jointly launched by long time Women’s Health West supporter, former Premier of Victoria Joan Kirner AM, and family violence expert Professor Helen Keleher.

Ms. Kirner said that resources and attention are often overly focused on public acts of violence, which puts women at risk. ‘Women are much more likely to experience violence from a male partner, in their own homes, than out in the public domain’, she said. Professor Keleher called on guests at the launch to do more to prevent violence against women, ‘We need you to make preventing violence against women part of your core business. In order to stop it, we need this to become everyone’s business, not no one’s. We all have a role to play in stopping violence against women, and this action plan is one of the ways for us to move the agenda forward.’ Five local councils have officially endorsed Preventing Violence Together to date, and are currently implementing the action plan. Women’s Health West will be working hard throughout 2011 to ensure that the vision of Preventing Violence Together becomes a reality. Stay tuned for updates! If you would like more information about Preventing Violence Together: The Western Region Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women, contact Erin Richardson: erin@whwest.org. au or 03 9689 9588

PhotoS James Boddington

n 2 December 2010, after many years of advocacy and hard work, Women’s Health West officially launched Preventing Violence Together: The Western Region Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women. The action plan calls on local councils and community health services across the region to adopt preventing violence against women as a priority, and to work in partnership with other organisations to implement prevention projects in the western region. As Women’s Health West CEO Dr. Robyn Gregory said to guests at the launch, ‘It is everyone’s business to prevent violence against women, but we don’t always know where to start. This action plan takes an overwhelming problem and sets out clear and achievable tasks for dealing with it. It builds on years of collaboration with organisations and communities in our region and we are delighted to have so many colleagues committing to this challenge’.

Funds for WHW Debra Wannan, Temporary Finance Officer

omen’s Health West would like to extend our thanks for the following financial contributions from 1 September 2010 to 7 March 2011. These much appreciated donations assist us to enhance our programs and services to women and children in the region.

Grants Doutta Galla Community Health Service Moonee Valley City Council

1,818.00 909.09

Maribyrnong City Council

3,000.00

5,727.09

Court Funds Sunshine Magistrates Court

2,500.00

Department of Justice Werribee Court

2,000.00

4,500.00

Donations Western Hospital

200.00

From the estate of Katherine Doyle 27,500.00

27,700.00

In late 2010 two of our family violence outreach workers gave a talk about healthy relationships, family violence and WHW’s services at the Catholic Regional College in St Albans. Their teacher, Mr Peter Danger, then motivated the students to gather donations for Christmas presents for the children of our service. On 17 September 2010, staff members returned to the school and were presented with a large number of toys and other gifts. Women’s Health West warmly acknowledges the generosity of those who donated. Donations to Women’s Health West are tax deductible. To find out more about making a donation please call 03 9689 9588 or visit www.whwest.org.au/docs/ donate.pdf

Equal Pay Test Case Erin Richardson, Health Promotion Worker

n the 2009-2010 financial year Australian women would have needed to work, on average, an additional 66 days to earn the same amount of money earned by men. That’s more than two additional months – straight – just to break even. The ‘gender pay gap’, as it is known, means that women working full-time, year-round in Australia earn on average only 83 cents for every dollar earned by men. The consequences over the course of a lifetime are significant: women accumulate on average just half the superannuation accumulated by men and are twice as likely to live in poverty in old age. Economic insecurity relative to men also affects women’s safety – lack of financial independence severely compromises women’s ability to leave abusive relationships. Many factors contribute to gender wage discrimination. Chief among these is the devaluation of sectors staffed predominantly by women – such as social work, aged care and family violence services like Women’s Health West. Occupations such as these have been seen as an extension of unpaid ‘women’s work’ and are poorly remunerated as a result. In 2010, the Australian Services Union (ASU) lodged an ‘equal remuneration order’ at Fair Work Australia, charging that the continued low pay in sectors predominantly staffed by women is a form of gender discrimination and therefore unlawful. The case is based on a 2009 Queensland decision that gendered pay disparity in the sector constituted discrimination. While the court awarded pay rises of up to 37 percent to social and community sector workers, the Queensland government – who fund the sector in that state – refused to fund the full pay rises awarded to workers. That’s why Women’s Health West have been out in force at the recent Equal Pay rallies in Melbourne, encouraging the state and federal governments to fulfil their commitments to fund our sector appropriately. Before the Victorian state election, the Coalition committed to funding pay rises for community sector workers if they were awarded by Fair Work Australia, even if it cost more than the $200 million over four years for which they had budgeted: ‘We’ve been very clear: we’ll be making financial

commitments in our policies in relation to supporting that claim and if it’s more than that, then we will be funding and supporting it,’ Mary Wooldridge said in a pre-election interview with the Victorian Council of Social Services. In a recent submission to Fair Work Australia, however, the government indicated that if the remuneration order cost more than $50 million per year, they would not commit to covering the ‘gap’. In February this year, I went along to one of the hearings at Fair Work Australia to see how the case was going. On the morning I attended, lawyers from the team representing the Australian Industry Group, Australian Federation of Employers and Industry, the NSW government, the Victorian government, and the Federal government crossexamined three witnesses appearing for the union. Luckily for me, I happened to find myself next to a researcher who has been closely following the case from the beginning. She surmised that the case for the unions is going well overall and that while the government and employer groups have managed to inflict some damage to the case, it was ‘not fatal’. The size of the opposition legal team, she said, made it quite clear that a number of government and industry groups have a vested interest in keeping wages in female-dominated industries low. The final hearings before Fair Work Australia will occur in April, with a decision expected in late June. Equal pay is a matter of social justice. Without equal pay, sectors like ours will continue to be devalued as mere ‘women’s work’, and the rights of women everywhere to live healthy lives that are free from violence will remain compromised.

What Can I Do? The Australian Services Union has prepared a pro forma letter for supporters of the equal remuneration case to send to the state government. Please help us keep the pressure on – no more lip service to equal pay! Visit http:// www.asuvic.asn.au/ atlobby.cgi?ID=12

For further information on the Equal Remuneration case visit Fair Work Australia: http://www.fwa.gov.au/ index.cfm?pagename=remuneration &page=introduction

whw news edition 1 • 2011

Women in the region

Chahida

Words and pictures by Scout Kozakiewicz

hahida is a woman who has made a habit of defying convention. She is about to complete her Bachelor of Business in Computer Systems Management at Victoria University. Leaving high school mid-way through year 11, heading overseas at 16, falling in love and marrying, starting a family at 18, she has carved out a unique path for herself. Her journey is inspiring and unconventional and entirely hers. Chahida wouldn’t change a thing! She loved being at home with her two boys, but when they started school she thought, ‘Okay, I am not just gonna sit here and do absolutely nothing, so I enrolled in a Certificate (I) to learn how to use a computer, and I am still there! I have got one more semester and then I finish my degree.’ Although she believes being a stay-at-home mum is beautiful and she supports a woman’s choice, knowing the kids were going to need a computer really motivated her to be at least one step ahead of them in that department. Her subsequent education has created many opportunities. She now teaches Information Technology at VU, a position she is passionate about. While she plans to work in the IT industry, she hopes to continue teaching. She enjoys mentoring others, whether they are family members, or part of the wide variety of people

whw news edition 1 • 2011

‘I always look for the light at the end of the tunnel even though it may be hard to see at times.’ she encounters through her teaching and volunteer work with the Muslim Women’s Council of Victoria and the Migrant Resource Centre North West. ‘There was always an interest, this thing, that I felt I needed to do something but I didn’t know what. I wanted to be part of something but I didn’t know what I wanted to be part of.’ It hasn’t always been so clear-cut and it is never easy. ‘My strong will power and determination keep me going. I love new challenges and always look forward to my next challenge. Working under pressure and getting through tough times will only make me stronger and more capable of taking on bigger challenges. I always look for

the light at the end of the tunnel even though it may be hard to see at times.’ Setting short and long term goals, and working out how to achieve them is also important to Chahida’s success. She also acknowledges that her success is contributing to the muchneeded overhaul of how Muslim women are perceived. Although she still encounters people who assume she can’t speak English because she is Muslim, she reflects ‘…being a Muslim woman, going out and achieving all this; going back to uni, at the same time working (teaching), and then I had the family…soccer training weeknights, games on Sunday, and I juggled it all and I did it successfully.’

Membership form

Membership is free. To apply, fill in this form and mail to Women’s Health West: 317–319 Barkly Street, Footscray VIC 3011

TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP

CONTACT DETAILS

I ndividual Voting Member (woman who lives, works or studies in the western metro region)

ADDRESS

NAME SUBURB

rganisational Member O (organisation in, or whose client-base includes, the region)

PHONE (W)

POSTCODE

PHONE (H)

O R G A N I S AT I O N

(Individual members only) EMAIL ADDRESS C O N TA C T P E R S O N

S I G N AT U R E

(This person is also eligible to attend and vote at our Annual General Meeting)

D AT E

POSITION

ssociate Non-voting Member A (individual or organisation outside the region)

Sunrise women’s group – 20 years on PHOTOS Scout Kozakiewicz

Lindy Corbett, Sunrise Project Worker

omen’s Health West works with marginalised women including women with a disability and women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to improve their health outcomes and access to quality health services. For the past twenty years, we have run a health program for women with a disability. The Sunrise women’s support group provides fun, friendship and skill development for participants in the outer west of Melbourne. To become a member of Sunrise, women only need to self-identify as having a disability. The group began as a nine month pilot in March 1991 and ran for twelve years in the inner west, relocating to the outer west in 2003. The move resulted from research indicating that more women with a disability reside in the outer west due to cheaper housing; these areas have fewer services for women with a disability including transport and disability specific services.

The Sunrise program runs activities at fully accessible venues with attendant care and provides health information on topics identified by the women themselves. The main aim of the groups is to provide support and information to enable women to make informed health choices about their lives. Women meet at the Laverton Community Centre and the Iramoo Community Centre once a month for health information sessions on topics women identify as interesting to them. Topics have included fatigue, healthy relationships, living on a tight budget and healthy eating. The program also contains a social component featuring picnics, BBQs and an annual Christmas party. All activities are designed to increase the confidence, skills and social connectedness of the participants. For more information about this program or to join either group contact Lindy Corbett lindy@whwest.org au or phone Lindy at Women’s Health West on Wednesday or Friday on 9689 9588.

The Sunshine Group rocks Fun, friendship and acceptance Twenty years hooray —Haiku from Nilofa, Sunrise participant

It’s a place I always look forward to going, it’s very important, it means a lot to me. As a disabled woman it helps me to meet other women with different disabilities. I am not discriminated against. I feel I can talk and share a lot of different views about life. Wen, Sunrise participant The group has brought me memorable friendships. Robyn, Sunrise participant

whw news edition 1 • 2011

Featured publication

Lead On Again Manual In 2004 WHW ran Lead On, our first leadership program for young women from CALD backgrounds; then in 2006 we built on that work, through consultations with other service providers who deliver leadership programs, to develop Lead On Again. We’ve run the successful program annually since then and you can read about the latest group of leaders on page 12.

e aim to increase participants’ leadership skills, knowledge and capacity and also to support future participation by these young women in community and leadership activities. Our evaluation showed that young women’s confidence and knowledge was largely sustained six months later with 83 percent of participants reporting involvement in a range of leadership activities. The manual includes a model for delivery with notes for facilitators and training resources that can be adapted by your group. To order your copy, just fill out the order form below or call 9689 9588 for more details.

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whw news edition 1 • 2011

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EVENTS & Notices Tribute to Sue Carr

Women’s Health Information Centre (WHIC) at the Women’s Free, confidential, statewide health service that offers information, individualised support and referral options on a range of women’s health issues. Phone: 03 8345 3045 or 1800 442 007 (Regional/ Rural callers) Email a nurse or midwife: which@thewomens.org.au www.thewomens.org.au

Women’s Health West offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Sue Carr, who passed away in January this year. Sue joined the Sunrise Laverton women’s group in 2003; she was the first member of that group and remained an active and supportive member who will be deeply missed by all.

Footscray Community Arts Centre Frippery – Home Arts Salon Thursdays

Katherine Doyle, much loved peer educator for the Power On program, who sadly passed away in September 2007

6:30pm - 8pm 15 July - 16 September 2011 (10 sessions)

A note of gratitude Women’s Health West would like to express our sincere thanks to the family of Katherine Doyle for their generous and substantial donation from Katherine’s estate. These funds are specifically earmarked for the Power On program that Katherine assisted to develop and will go a long way towards ensuring the program continues.

This workshop is all about needles, threads, thimbles, sewing, hemming, adding buttons, bibs and bobs, crochet, knitting and handson funky craft. Exchange your crafty questions with the help of visual artist Heather Horrocks. $15 casual single session

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea Thursday 26 May 2011 The official day for this year’s morning tea is 26 May 2011, although you can hold your fundraising tea anytime in May or June. By hosting a morning tea in your office, home, club or school, you can make a difference to the lives of Australians affected by cancer each year. Phone: 1300 65 65 85

Stencil Art Tuesdays 4:30pm - 6pm 27 July - 14 September (8 sessions)

National Day of Action in support of Equal Pay for community sector workers

Grab a spray can and let street artist Rachel Taplin show you how to make impressive stencils.

Wednesday 8 June 2011 11.00am outside the Victorian Trades Hall, corner of Lygon and Victoria Streets in Carlton South

$10 (8 sessions) or $15 (single session)

In 2009, the ASU signed a deal with the Gillard government for an Equal Pay test case with Fair Work Australia in a bid to curb the sub-standard pay and conditions on offer for SACS workers in not-for-profit organisations. The case – outlined on page 15 - is a major stepping stone in the fight for fair wages for those who look after those most disadvantaged in our community, including women experiencing family violence.

Phone: 9362 8888 www.footscrayarts.com

www.biggestmorningtea. com.au

Ever wanted to run away to the circus? Women Only Swimming Every second Sunday, 8pm-10pm

•• •• ••

Female-only lifeguards All women welcome Boys under 6 welcome Phone: 9375 3411 Cnr Langs and Epsom Roads, Ascot Vale www.ascotvale.ymca.org.au

Term 2 Short Course: 2nd May-2nd July 2011 Forget about fitness level, age or ability, come and have some fun and join the New Women’s Circus program. Activities include games, introduction to aerials, acro-balance and juggling.

Mark 8 June 2011 in your diary today! Phone 1300 855 570 www.asuvic.asn.au

Phone: 9362 8888 www.womenscircus.org.au

Mission SIDS and Kids provides bereavement support experienced the death of their Red Nose Day - SIDS andbaby or child d childhood regardless of the cause of death.

Kids

History24 June 2011 Friday

Founded in 1977 by parents who had experienced

has Nose been providing support and bereavement servic Red Day is the national fundraising Red Nose Day began inevent 1988 as the key fundraisi opportunity for and people to beheld silly for a serious cause day for SIDS Kids Red Nose Day has become one of Australia’s favou throughout the month of SIDS Red and Kids has offices throughout Australia th June. Nose Day provides education programs. SIDS and Kids also cham critical funding for a 24campaigning, advocacy and fundraising. hour bereavement support Support Nine children under the education age of four die every day in service, community from a range of causes including SIDS, fatal sleepin to reduce incidents of SIDS SIDS and sleeping Kids offers accidents, nation-wide, 24hours a day, f and fatal SIDS and Kids fields thousands of queries throu and research into areas Ongoing professional support for families is availabl visitsas andSIDS a range of stillbirth. support groups and events. such and ToEducation date it is estimated and Research that Education initiatives as the SIDS and Kids Sa SIDS and Kids hassuch saved lives of an estimated 6,561 Australian babies. Wo childcare organisations and online support networ the lives of over 6,500 the SIDS and Kids’ Safe Sleeping recommendations babies across Australia.

SIDS and Kids’ ASK Online catalogue provides s scientific and be www.sidsandkids.org for further information.

Phone: 173 3,000 366 access 1300 to over

www.rednoseday.com.au/

SIDS and Kids has worked to increase public aw factors associated with SIDS and fatal sleeping a been instrumental in achieving an 85 per cent red Australia, the causes of SIDS are still unknown.

Fundraising Fundraising activities have contributed over $16 programs to date.

SIDS and Kids receives little funding and relies on SIDS and Kids’ key fundraising activity is the annua

whw news edition • 2011 information, ple For1further

Amy Kirkwood or Eli Wallis a Ph: (03) 8506 16

Women’s Health West in the news Since our last newsletter WHW has kept the spotlight on family violence in the local media with the release of Preventing Violence Together (read more on page 14) and through regular communication with local journalists.

Our International Women’s Day event at Footscray Community Arts Centre was a fantastic day! Read more about it on page 10 inside.

Women’s Health West 317-319 Barkly Street Footscray 3011 phone fax email

9689 9588

9689 3861

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women’s health west – equity and justice for women in the west