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
W
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.