WHW News (Edition 1 2010) by Women's Health West

Edition 1 • 2010

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WHW Celebrates 21 Years p.5 Joan Kirner AM joins WHW staff, members and partners to celebrate our 21st birthday at the AGM in November 2009

Photographer Meredith O’Shea

A word from the ceo

elcome to the first edition of WHW News for 2010. Equity and social justice has been one of WHW’s three priority areas for promoting women’s health, safety and wellbeing since 2006. When we came to developing our 2009-2012 Strategic Plan, we were clear that ‘Equity and Justice for women in the west’ was more than a priority, it is our organisational vision. You will find a number of articles in this edition that are specifically marked to underline our work in this area. Last year we celebrated our 21st birthday – there are photos dotted throughout this edition – and this year is the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, a fine time to report on equity and social justice. At an international conference of women in Copenhagen in 1910, Clara Zetkin proposed setting aside a day to hold rallies and events that highlight women’s oppression and inequality. Since then, IWD has become a global day of recognition and celebration – honouring women’s achievements and acknowledging the historical struggles undertaken to bring those about – while reminding us of the need for continued vigilance and action. We have much to celebrate in the western region. WHW have continued our work with local councils to put women’s health squarely on the local government agenda. We have been heartened by their responsiveness. Moonee Valley City Council, for instance,

inside: The future of dedicated police family units p.6

Dr Robyn Gregory

launched a Women’s Health Initiative at their first International Women’s Day celebration in March, designed to identify and respond to the specific health inequalities faced by women in Moonee Valley. I was privileged to be invited along with other agencies to work with Brimbank Council in the development of a Social Justice Coalition designed to respond to social injustice caused by high levels of social and economic disadvantage. We congratulate our partners on this terrific work and look forward to continuing to work with them. At a state level, WHW is continuing our collaboration with women’s health services across Victoria through the development of the 10 Point Plan for Victorian Women’s Health 2010-2014. In this election year, we are meeting with each Member of Parliament in the western region to advocate this plan as a key platform for women’s health. You can read more about how you can support this work, on page 10. You will also find a series of articles about other WHW projects in this edition. This includes a page 12 article about WHW’s response to A Right to Justice and Safety: Continuing Family Violence Reform in Victoria 2010-2020, the Victorian government’s draft plan for continued reform of the family violence service system – and on page 6 our concerns about the impact of the closure of the Brimbank Specialist Family Violence Unit on this reform agenda. Page 11 has a report on a regional strategy to prevent violence against women and page 13 an article on the development of a poster

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

Brimbank Police Family Violence Unit: how it was suspended then reinstated and what this means for an integrated family violence response

Healing takes courage (and sometimes lions) p.7 A trip to Werribee Zoo offers a chance to start the healing process for women and children in refuge

10 point plan for women’s health p.10 Find out what you can do to keep women’s health on the political agenda during this election year

Dr Robyn Gregory, CEO

‘Social justice is a matter of life and death’ declares the WHO Commission on Social Determinants. ‘It affects the way people live, their consequent chance of illness and their risk of premature death…These inequities in health, avoidable health inequalities, arise because of the circumstances in which people grow, live, work and age, and the systems put in place to deal with illness. The conditions in which people live and die are, in turn, shaped by political, social and economic forces’ (WHO 2008).

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quity and justice for women in the west’ is the vision WHW chose to best reflect our organisational goals, during the 2009 strategic planning process. What does it mean for our work? WHW have long held the view that, to improve women’s health, safety and wellbeing, we have to work to change the social, political and environmental factors that cause and maintain inequality, as well as strengthening the skills and capabilities of individuals and communities.

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.

Systems do not naturally gravitate towards equity – as the old proverb goes, the ‘rich get richer and the poor get poorer’. As a result, we require leadership that compels us to act and a framework that sets out what we agree to do to re-orient our systems towards equitable outcomes.

Read this edition and archives of WHW News online at www.whwest.org.au/pubs/WHWnews.php

By specifically naming the outcome that we are aiming for – equity and social justice – we remind ourselves

Editor: Nicola Harte Newsletter Group: Katherine Koesasi, Jacky Tucker, Veronica Garcia, Nicola Harte Contributors to this edition: Christine, Erin Richardson, Gabi, Gigi, Hang Pham, Irene, Jacky Tucker, Jen Hargrave, Joy Free, Kirsten Campbell, Lindy Corbett, Lucy Forwood, Lynda Memery, Maureen Smith, Megan Bumpstead, Meriem Idris, Nicola Harte, Pai, Reem Omarit, Robyn Gregory, Robyn McIvor, Sally Camilleri, Scout Kozakiewicz, Stephanie, Suzanna, Veronica Garcia, Vicky, Zahra Jafar Photographers: Veronica Garcia, Meredith O’Shea, Scout Kozakiewicz, Erin Slattery, Jacky Tucker Illustrations: Isis & Pluto

Edition 1 published: April 2010 Deadline for edition 2: Thursday 29 April 2010

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WHW have identified those groups as women with a disability, women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, women who identify as same-sex attracted, Indigenous women, women in and coming out of prison, women caring for others, women who experience family violence, and young and elderly women. We will also continue to focus our work on the poorest and most isolated areas of our region, where relative socioeconomic disadvantage is high. For instance, of the top ten most disadvantaged local government areas, four are in the west: Brimbank (2nd), Maribyrnong (3rd), Hobsons Bay (9th) and Melton (10th). To focus our energies and avoid becoming overwhelmed by the scale of inequality and injustice, WHW have identified three key areas to concentrate on in relation to equity and social justice. These are freedom from discrimination and violence, access to resources, and participation. Stories that describe our work in these areas are marked with this logo:

Design and layout: Susan Miller, millervision@ netspace.net.au

Achieving equality in health, though, will not necessarily ensure equity. ‘While inequality implies differences between individuals or population groups, inequity refers to differences which are unnecessary and avoidable but, in addition, are also considered unfair and unjust’ (PAHA, 1999). Inequality is not always unjust – for example Affirmative Action policies encouraging employment of minority groups – but inequity results from unjust inequalities. As a result, WHW see reducing health inequities as an ethical imperative as well as a matter of social justice.

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that we must make sure that our work is relevant, that our actions aim for equality of outcome rather than equality of opportunity, and that they are targeted to those communities who have fewer resources and so suffer the worst health, safety and wellbeing.

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Congratulations, once again, to our staff, board members and partners in other organisations and the community, for your tireless and inspiring work. As expressed in one of our five strategic goals, we value the skills, knowledge and expertise of individuals, organisations and communities in our region and aim to work in collaboration with them, sharing what we learn along the way and identifying where we each fit in achieving our ambitious goal to achieve equity and justice for women in the west.

Equity & Social Justice Edition

to encourage clear referral pathways for people working with women with disabilities who are experiencing family violence. There is also ongoing work to improve the financial wellbeing of Karen, South Sudanese and Somali women who experience significant financial insecurity associated with their experience as refugees (p. 15). Capping off this edition is an article outlining work undertaken by our staff to measure whether our practices and behaviours are truly reflective of a feminist organisation with a commitment to equity and social justice (pp. 8-9). It is this range – from working with individuals, organisations, communities and at a broad social policy level – that will assist us to realise our vision of equity and justice for women in the west.

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Behind the scenes PHOTOGRAPHER Veronica Garcia

WHW Staff Lynda Memery Health Promotion, Research and Development Manager

Pai Family Violence Worker

I studied politics in Thailand and when I arrived in Australia, I figured that studying welfare and community work would be a good way to find out more about my new community. My student placements led to employment first with the Immigrant Women’s Domestic Violence Service and second with Women’s Liberation Halfway House – a refuge. I worked as a co-worker at the Alfred Hospital working with people in the Thai community experiencing HIV. I like working with women and so my goal is to support women who are going through the journey of domestic violence to become independent and live their life without violence.

Stephanie Children’s Worker

My first social work job was at the Royal Children’s Hospital Mental Health Service working with children in groups. At Anglicare Foster Care, I worked with foster carers, birth families, child protection and other family support agencies. I love working with children and using creative arts to assist them in recovery. I hope to further develop my counselling and group work skills, and contribute to the development of the children’s counselling team. It is a very specialised program with great potential!

Erin Richardson

Hang Pham

Health Promotion Worker

Locum Intake and After Hour Coordinator

My role with Women’s Health West continues my interest in promoting women’s rights and gender equity. My previous role at the Office of Women’s Policy involved researching the intersections between sexual assault and new technologies. In 2008/2009 I worked for a women’s NGO in Mongolia, a wonderful and very challenging experience, particularly given the extreme temperatures (-40 in winter!) As part of the WHW health promotion team I support Robyn in her advocacy for pay equity for women, and also in promoting the 10 Point Plan for Women’s Health. I’m looking forward to contributing in my own small way to the great work of WHW.

Back in 1998, I worked with women across refuges in Victoria as the Vietnamese Cultural Support and Advocacy Worker for the Immigrant Women’s Domestic Violence service. I was promoted to team leader in 2004 and stayed in that role until February 2009. I began a new career path as a trainer at Melbourne International College, teaching the Diploma of Welfare. This was short lived as MIC went into voluntary administration in July 2009. I am in this locum position at WHW until mid June 2010 and hope to contribute to the great work that WHW does enhancing women and children’s safety and wellbeing.

STAFF INNOVATION AWARDS

t the AGM in November 2009, 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 Egyptian goddess of truth, justice and balance who prevented creation from reverting to chaos.

The VITA award went to a Very Inspiring, Totally Active staff member: Lucy Forwood from the health promotion team for years of undimmed passion for change.

Women’s Health West workers with their achievement awards at the AGM

The MAAT award went to Irene as a fitting tribute to

The final award, affectionately titled, GOYA, or the Getting Off Your Arse award, recognised the efforts, initiative and energy of Women’s Health West’s human dynamo, Poppy Mihalakos.

PHOTOGRAPHER Meredith O’Shea

Over the last 20 years I’ve worked in health promotion, community education, research and policy roles. I’m also undertaking a PhD in Political Science, which looks at gambling policy-making and the changing role of the community sector in public policy design. I am dedicated to working towards the achievement of social justice and feminist objectives. I plan to continue the work of Katherine Koesasi during her maternity leave, by supporting and coordinating the ongoing development of the HPR&D team. I also play a fast-paced, fullcontact women’s sport - as my alter ego, Rosa Deluxe of the Dead Ringer Rosies with the Victorian Roller Derby League.

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Chair Report Megan Bumpstead, Chair, Women’s Health West Board of Directors

PHOTOGRAPHER Erin Slattery

Behind the scenes

6th Australian Women’s Health Conference, Hobart, Tasmania Date: 18-21 May 2010 Presenter: Joy Free, Researcher PRESENTATION Beyond symptoms: Identifying the structural context of the compounding discrimination that women experience This action advocacy model assists with regional social planning by applying a gendered health promotion framework to the organisational, community and societal factors causing women’s inequity. WORKSHOP Women’s Power Cards: Creative ways of exploring women’s power

began my career as a registered nurse and obtained my Intensive Care postgraduate diploma prior to a period of work and travel overseas. Since returning to Australia I have worked in hospital management including Western Health. It was there that I became interested in the western region, particularly community health needs, and improving access to appropriate health and support services.

The women’s power cards provide an opportunity for brainstorming and raising awareness of how women can exercise power individually and at broader structural levels including organisational, community and society. Presenter: Sally Camilleri in partnership with Women’s Health Tasmania POSTER Women who experience mental illness Power On across the western region of Melbourne and Tasmania Power On is a peer education program for women who experience mental illness and explores themes that affect women’s wellbeing. The poster outlines core elements of Power On and the partnership between two women’s health services across two states in pursuit of shared objectives.

So I joined Women’s Health West in 2006 and was co-opted to the Board. Since then I have been consistently impressed by the passion and commitment of Women’s Health West staff in delivering excellence in quality, appropriate and responsive services.

19th Australian Health Promotion Association Conference, Walking the Talk Together: Partnerships for Health Promotion, Melbourne Date: 30 May - 2 June 2010 Presenter: Sally Camilleri, WHW Health Promotion Worker PRESENTATION When Health Promotion doesn’t fit in the Boxes: The ‘Power On’ Experience

At the moment I’m working as a freelance management consultant specialising in health management while completing a Master of Business Administration. I have also returned part-time to clinical nursing to maintain my connection to the health industry in a meaningful way.

This presentation uses Power On as a case study to explore ways to engage the welfare sector in health promotion and examine the challenges that arise when health promotion occurs outside established health promotion categories. PRESENTATION Health Promotion through Financial Literacy for NewlyArrived Women This presentation examines a financial literacy program with Sudanese, Karen and Somali women and explores the collaboration between community leaders, welfare providers, financial councillors, community lawyers and a women’s health service.

I feel honoured to be nominated as chair and look forward to working with the board and CEO Dr Robyn Gregory as she leads the organisation in implementing our strategic plan and key priorities for 2010, such as Women’s Health West’s Employee Collective Agreement.

Presenters: Lucy Forwood, Girls Talk – Guys Talk Co-ordinator and Chantal Maloney, School Health Promotion Nurse, Hoppers Crossing Secondary College PRESENTATION Girls Talk- Guys Talk: A Health Promoting Schools Project Girls Talk – Guys Talk combines a year nine sexuality education program with a whole school approach at secondary schools. The presentation outlines practical ideas on working in partnerships, establishing working groups, engaging parents and students, and involving local communities.

L-R June Kane, Ruth Marshall and Karen Passey, members of WHW Board of Directors read the annual report at the November AGM

Presenter: Lindy Corbett, Sunrise Group Project Worker Presentation Sunrise Group Working Effectively with Women with Disabilities in the Outer West of Melbourne PHOTOGRAPHER Meredith O’Shea

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Conference Corner

The Sunrise Women with Disabilities groups provide fun and friendship for isolated women with a disability. The groups are Women’s Health West’s longest running program and this presentation delivers findings and recommendations for working with this group of women. Presenter: Reem Omarit, FARREP Community Worker PRESENTATION Mama and Nunu 2: Developing a Resource on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) for Health Service Providers The presentation traces the development of Mama and Nunu - Mother and Baby - an online resource for health service providers who work with African women affected by female genital mutilation (FGM) during pregnancy and birth.

From little things, big things grow WHW workers perform at our AGM and Federation Square Nicola Harte, Communications Coordinator

n the last edition of this newsletter we published the lyrics to ‘We Say No to Violence’ by Vicky, one of our family violence workers. The song was performed by WHW workers at a planning day and was such a hit that we wanted to share it with our members at our AGM on 26 November 2009. The AGM was a very special occasion as it was the 21st birthday of WHW and the launch of our history book REtroSPECT [see page 18 for details], so performing at that event meant

‘I felt buzzing with joy! I thought, ‘the girls are loving it, the audience got into it, this was perfect.’ Vicky, Women’s Health West worker, song writer and performer

‘WHW’s performance brightened up the White Ribbon event. It was a buzz seeing the team sing together; their number and passion filled the stage at Fed Square.’ Jen Hargrave, Victorian Network of Women with Disabilities

singing in front of our keynote speaker, the Honourable Joan Kirner, WHW members, and fellow staff. Undaunted, the group performed with goosebump-inducing energy and sass. Then, as part of White Ribbon Day, the vibrant team of bongo playing, finger clicking, flamenco guitar strumming singers agreed to present their third public performance… at Federation Square! Here’s what they (and an audience member) had to say about the experience.

‘It was great to get up with other team members and say no to violence in a fun and creative way.’ Suzanna, Women’s Health West worker and performer

‘My young feminist daughters were so proud of seeing their mother up on stage singing about family violence. One of my daughters cried with happiness knowing how her mother has overcome many highs and lows in her own life. This event demonstrated with such fun the passion, commitment and cooperation that exists between co-workers.’

WHW workers performing the anti-violence song at our AGM with goosebump-inducing energy and sass

Christine, Women’s Health West worker and performer

The Hon. Joan Kirner and writer, Esther Singer holding REtroSPECT, the 21 year history of WHW On White Ribbon Day, the team presented their third public performance… at Federation Square!

REtroSPECT, the cake version

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS Meredith O’Shea except far left, Jacky Tucker

Staff and members of WHW at our 21st birthday party

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Victoria Police Forced to Suspend Family Violence Unit

A Truly Integrated Response Needs

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Maureen Smith, Regional Integration Coordinator

uring 2008-09, Victoria Police were called to 1335 family violence incidents in Brimbank. Established in 2006 as part of the Victorian Government integrated family violence reforms, the Brimbank Family Violence Unit (BFVU) provided a specialist police response to family violence incidents in the area. The BFVU worked with the family violence support agencies and demonstrated a new way of working together; the first of its kind in the state. The unit not only meant better outcomes for women and children, they also worked to prevent further incidents occurring. WHW workers built important relationships with the unit, including piloting a strategy to respond to clients at high risk of violence.

Victoria Police have been a leading partner in the integrated reforms. Over the past year a number of strategies have been released, including the Victoria Police strategy to reduce violence against women and children 2009-2014; A Right to Respect, the Victorian Government’s state plan to prevent violence against women 2010-2020 and the Victorian Government’s family violence reforms that include policies to guide the ways in which the police, courts and family violence services should work together to reduce family violence. This suspension contradicts each of those measures. The suspension of the unit did not go unnoticed as evidenced in regular local newspaper reports, parliamentary discussion and public pressure throughout February 2010.1

the police re-committed staff to the unit on 5 March 2010 pending further review and assessment over a period of two months. The Victorian Auditor-General’s Report on Implementing Victoria Police’s Code of Practice for the Investigation of Family Violence supports the recommendation that family violence liaison officer positions should be gazetted, or individually funded, as they are in other specialist areas within Victoria Police such as sexual assault and armed robbery. If integration is to be sustainable, these specialist family violence units, and the family violence liaison officers within these units, should be funded separately to general policing. Government that is serious about reducing family violence must ensure that appropriate and ongoing funding is available to support otherwise excellent strategies.

In January 2010 Victoria Police suspended the successful unit ‘subject to review’.

As a result of the review and valuable feedback from external partners

Victoria Police cited lack of resources as the reason for the suspension; the unit is not funded separately so resources were being directed from general policing into this specialist area.

1 Members of one local Lions Club group ‘had been outraged by the decision to shut down the specialised police unit and had decided to make it their mission to “fill the gap” and were discussing ways of providing support to family violence victims, including delivering care packages for women and children.’ Nolan, B. Star Newsgroup, Keilor, Taylors Lakes, Sydenham Star; St Albans, Deer Park, Caroline Springs Star; Sunshine, Ardeer, Albion Star. ‘Club’s pride of Lions’ 16 February 2010

Putting the ‘art’ into partner contact

Robyn McIvor, Relationships Australia

he Sunshine branch of Relationships Australia - Victoria (RAV) entered into an exciting contract with Women’s Health West in September 2009, with Women’s Health West’s wonderful family violence worker Sue* providing support services to partners and ex-partners of the men involved in the RAV men’s behavioural change groups. This is referred to as ‘partner contact’. Sue meets regularly with the RAV family violence workers and has become part of the team, which has led to great insight on both sides. As part of her partner contact role, Sue arranges to meet the women whose partner is involved in our men’s

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groups. She develops safety plans where required and links the women with other RAV services and Women’s Health West services. She also provides emotional support for the women. In an exciting new aspect of this role, Sue assists interested women to participate in the Opening the Doors art therapy group. Sue leads Opening the Doors in conjunction with an art therapist, thereby providing great service continuity for the women. RAV Sunshine staff are really enjoying this extension of our strong collaboration with Women’s Health West. *Not her real name

A Day at the Werribee Open Range Zoo Gigi, Children’s Worker

‘Look! There are some zebras on your left,’ the safari tour guide said. ‘Ah… I can see a camel right next to our bus.’ ‘They are looking at us!’ ‘The giraffes are so tall,’ the children said.

n 30 September 2009, WHW Crisis Accommodation Service (CAS) workers organised a family activity to Werribee Zoo for 31 women and children in refuge.

Outings such as this are designed to provide a fun, positive, learning experience that can help restore damaged relationships between mothers and their children. This is especially important when assisting children to recover from the impact of violence. ‘Many practitioners and women [have] commented that the undermining of the relationship between women and their children is a common behaviour perpetrated by men who are violent’.1 This maternal alienation increases the work needed to rebuild the relationship between mother and child before work can commence with individual children. Not only does a trip like this reduce the social isolation that results from family violence but also, because of the economic hardship faced by most women escaping violence, it’s an opportunity that generally falls outside their financial reach. All of this creates space for healing to begin.

We began our zoo visit at the meerkats’ home. We learned that the black patches around their eyes help protect against the constant glare of the sun, rather like humans wearing sunglasses! During our 45-minute safari across 225 hectares of wide, open savannah we saw an amazing array of animals: giraffe, lions, kangaroos, zebras, camels and deer, but the hippopotamus was hiding so we did not see the ‘river horse’. After the families enjoyed lunch, the children and I walked around the Watersmart Garden and the Wetlands Wirribi Yaluk Walk. We were reminded that water conservation is everyone’s responsibility - we can all play a part. The path wound past a restored historic woolshed so we peeked in the windows before meandering down to the revegetated wetland and Werribee River. CAS would like to thank the Lions Club of Footscray for providing this opportunity for the families in refuge. I hope the women and children think of the happy memories at the open range zoo and smile.

Irwin, Waugh and Wilkinson (2002) Domestic Violence and Child Protection: a research report, Sydney University

PHOTOGRAPHER Gigi

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Working in

a Feminist Organisation Robyn Gregory, Chief Executive Officer, Women’s Health West

omen’s Health West’s (WHW) identifies as a feminist organisation through our strategic plan, which states that we work within a feminist framework. When we were developing our 2009-2012 strategic plan, we queried whether our practices and behaviours are truly reflective of a feminist organisation and whether we had a shared understanding of what it is to be a ‘feminist organisation’. So on 23 September and 9 December 2009 we met as a staff group to begin exploring feminist behaviour and practice in our work as managers, within teams, in working with clients and community groups, with other organisations and funding bodies, and in terms of our individual responsibility for building a feminist culture at WHW. Our plan is to use this information to develop an audit tool that allows us to measure whether we are operating as a feminist organisation. To develop this tool, we decided that we required:

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a shared understanding of feminism a clear set of statements of practice and behaviours that we define as ‘feminist’ and a document that spells out the behaviours and practices that we agree will demonstrate that we are a ‘feminist organisation’.

This article is the first in a two-part series that explains how we undertook that process and shares our findings.

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DEFINING FEMINISM Staff worked in small groups to define feminism in the context of working in a feminist organisation. In the large group, we then explored the commonalities and differences in our definitions and found broad consensus. Our definitions identified the multi-faceted nature of feminism – as theory, behaviour, taking action to bring about change, and processes that recognise and value difference – and is outlined below.

A theoretical analysis of power structures and inequality One of the core values of feminism is an analysis of patriarchy, power and control in all social, cultural, economic, political and legal structures. Feminism identifies the fundamental differences in power – or structural inequalities – that exist on the basis of gender and provides an analysis of the impact this has on women (and children).

This led to the importance of feminism as taking action Feminism not only acknowledges inequities created by a patriarchal society, it offers a method for raising awareness about and working to challenge and change structures and systems that oppress women. For example, feminism can challenge patriarchal organisational and social structures, leading to the creation of more egalitarian structures. The outcome of a feminist process is to work towards greater equity for all – a just society.

Using feminist theory to analyse oppression more generally Feminism does more than provide an analysis of gendered oppression; it also assists us to recognise power differences within oppressed groups,

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An Audit (part 1)

So, feminism is about how we behave and work collaboratively to enhance our knowledge and understanding of each other This includes an acknowledgement of the historical struggles that women have undertaken to bring about the achievements we have today. It can also include gently challenging women where their views or behaviours collude in their oppression; as well as challenging and reflecting on our own views and behaviours to ensure we don’t collude in either oppressing or patronising others. It means expressing ourselves using simple language to be clearly understood. And it means working in ways that recognise and reflect women’s different power and capacity to be involved in (wanting or creating) change.

Acknowledging difference also leads us to recognise the importance of feminist processes – providing women-only services and space for women’s voices to be heard – valuing women’s lives and experiences The need for women-specific services exists because women’s needs are different from men’s – for biological/

Our definitions identified the multi-faceted nature of feminism – as theory, behaviour, taking action to bring about change, and processes that recognise and value difference

physiological reasons, as well as a result of social, economic and political oppression. Women-only services can provide a safe place for healing and recovery; and to reflect on, express and consolidate ideas, needs and concerns. They provide a place where women’s health, lives and experiences are valued and celebrated, and where the emphasis is on women’s strengths. As such, women-specific services can provide a place for the empowerment

of women; a place where we can stand together, united. Feminism is not about ‘hating men’; it’s about achieving equity and giving equal space to women. In December the staff group commended this multifaceted definition of feminism as it relates to this organisation and, in small groups, cast a critical eye over the theory, behaviours, action and processes documented in September. The information in part two of this article incorporates both workshops.

Next Steps

Once the process is complete we plan to put the audit in our orientation pack for new staff and publish newsletter articles to share the outcomes of our work. We will apply our findings to all areas of our work and aim to incorporate this new understanding in our training packages, website and other publications. We’ll conduct regular audits to identify gaps and incorporate these findings into our policies and practices. The audit should be a living document that we embed in everything we do.

ILLUSTRATION Isis&Pluto

leading to the importance of respecting women’s choices/differences/abilities/ culture. Feminist analysis and practice should lead to a greater understanding and acceptance of women’s diversity, recognising and acknowledging power differences between women. This understanding and acceptance comes from listening to women’s perspectives and respecting their choices, even when you don’t agree; avoiding stereotyping women on the basis of their culture, age, sexuality or ability; and celebrating diversity.

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10 Steps in the Right Direction

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Erin Richardson, Health Promotion Project Worker

2010

Some quick facts about the 10 point plan:

is shaping up to be a big year in women’s health.

With both state and national elections looming, Women’s Health West is working hard with other women’s health services to ensure that women’s health remains well and truly on the agenda. Part of our advocacy strategy in the lead up to the Victorian state election is to promote the new 10 Point Plan for Victorian Women’s Health 2010-2014.

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Developed collaboratively by women’s health services across Victoria and launched on 25 November 2009, the comprehensive 10 Point Plan is designed to improve the health and wellbeing of all Victorian women. It consists of 10 points for action that we are urging government to commit to over the next five years, as well as four key priority areas for women’s health and a series of recommendations for each identified area.

It has 10 points! Each of the points for action were carefully developed to reflect what we see as the necessary steps in improving women’s health status, as well as improving environmental, social, and economic outcomes for women. Some of these are: embedding a social determinants framework in the approach to women’s health in the state; the retention and increase to funding for women’s specific services; the demonstration of high level cross-government leadership for a coordinated approach to women’s health; and the establishment of women’s advisory committees within each of the critical portfolio areas.

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10 Point P l

Why a new plan for women’s health in Victoria? In 2006, women’s health services across the state got together to develop the strategy for 2006-2010, called Women’s Health Matters: From Policy to Practice – Setting an Agenda for Victorian Women’s Health 2006-2010. This plan was endorsed by almost 30 women’s services and other organisations in Victoria, and was the basis of much of our successful advocacy efforts regarding women’s health. Securing the right of all Victorian women to legal, safe abortion, the development of a state plan for the prevention of violence against women, and having sexual and reproductive health included as a state health promotion priority are just some of these achievements. However, much remains to be done and so in 2009 we began preparing for the future. The 2010-2014 plan was the result, and will be the basis of our coordinated advocacy and program efforts over the next five years.

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It identifies four key priority areas, with corresponding recommendations. Our four priority areas are women in a changing society, sexual and reproductive health, prevention of violence against women, and mental wellbeing and social connectedness.

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You can find the plan at: http://www.whwest.org.au/ docs/10ptplan2010-14.pdf

What Women’s Health West are doing CEO Robyn Gregory, Health Promotion worker Erin Richardson and the Women’s Health West Board of Directors have been busily promoting the plan to our local MPs and seeking endorsement from community based organisations. As Women’s Health West Chair, Meg Bumpstead observed, From an advocacy perspective, the 10 point plan is a really powerful tool. As it has been developed collaboratively by women’s services like ours who have a wealth of direct service and health promotion experience, it is highly responsive and targeted to the diverse needs of Victorian women. It is also a strategic approach to planning – we’ve worked hard to ensure that

for V icto women’s ri an health

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Joining together to prevent

the gains we have made in recent years in areas such as abortion law reform have been secured, while continuing to advocate for women on topics such as pay equity and better access to mental health services.

Kirsten Campbell, Health Promotion Worker

fter many years of planning, the western region primary care partnerships1 – HealthWest and Moonee Valley Melbourne – have come together with Women’s Health West to create a strategy for the region to prevent violence against women. As the World Health Organisation articulates, ‘we need a strategic response to violence against women that is intersectoral and multifaceted’ (WHO 2004). This strategy will coordinate the range of work currently undertaken in the region and provide an opportunity for organisations to engage at a strategic level, without stretching current resources. The strategy will also align our work with current regional, State and Federal Government initiatives, such as the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children, the State Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women, and the Western Integrated Family Violence Service System.

Doing your bit - supporting the 10 point plan There are lots of small (and not so small) ways you can support the 10 point plan:

Read the plan at www.whwest.org. au/docs/10ptplan2010-14.pdf, and circulate it among your networks

Write a letter or visit your local Member for Parliament (MP) to urge them to support the 10 point plan. You can write your own, or use our template at (www. whwest.org.au/docs/let_mp.doc). If you receive feedback from your MP, please let us know!

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violence against women

We are seeking a pre-election commitment to the plan from the main Victorian political parties and are meeting individually with MPs and others to this end. We are also working with the other women’s health services to produce ‘scorecards’ for each political party in the lead up to the state election. The scorecards will report on each party’s past achievements in women’s health, and their policy commitments for the upcoming election, including whether or not they will support the 2010-2014 plan. These scorecards will allow us to keep a close eye on the commitments being made to the promotion of women’s health in Victoria.

Based on A Right to Respect: Victoria’s Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women 2010-2020 and the Healthy Communities, Healthy Lives model developed by HealthWest, the goal of the strategy is that ‘communities, cultures and organisations in the western region are non-violent, non-discriminatory, gender equitable and promote respectful relationships.’ The strategy outlines eleven action areas that address healthy public policy, strengthening community action and creating supportive environments. The strategy focuses on local government and community health services from 2010-2012, with a view to expanding to other settings such as education and sporting clubs after 2012. We are currently consulting with key partners and plan to launch the strategy in July 2010.

Ask your organisation to endorse the plan if they haven’t already. When they do, let us know by sending an email to info@whwest.org.au

A strategy to prevent violence against women is long awaited and much needed in the west. It is a critical step towards displacing fundamental gender inequity and facilitating cultures, communities and organisations that are non-violent and gender equitable.

Send us your ideas and views about what is important to women’s health. Some questions you might consider are: Does the plan make sense to you? Do you have any ideas on how we could advocate for the plan? All views and opinions are welcome!

For more information, please contact Kirsten Campbell at Women’s Health West on 9689 9588, or kirsten@whwest.org.au 1 Primary Care Partnerships are region-specific groups set up by the state government to build a more effective primary health care system and they are made up of a diverse range of member agencies. All PCPs include hospitals, community health, local government and divisions of general practice as core members of the partnerships.

For regular updates information on the 10 point plan, please visit our website: www.whwest.org.au/media.php

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WHW Responds to

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A Right to Justice & Safety

Continuing Family Violence Reform in Victoria 2010 - 2020 Jacky Tucker, Manager Family Violence Services

HW congratulates the Victorian government on supporting the development of a 10 year plan, A Right to Justice and Safety: Continuing Family Violence Reform in Victoria 20102020, which will set out a rationale for continuing reform of the Victorian response to family violence. The draft document was circulated in December 2009 and we welcomed the opportunity to provide feedback. Our response is summarised below and focusses on areas where further work is required.

ILLUSTRATION Isis&Pluto

This plan should clearly interact with relevant plans and strategies including the statewide prevention plan, A Right to Respect; the Indigenous 10 year plan, Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families; and the Victoria Police Strategy Living Free from Violence – Upholding the Right. Although the plan focusses on safety and justice for women, it is equally important to focus on women’s right to economic resources to end violence and poverty in their lives. Family violence is a social problem embedded in the larger problem of gendered inequality. As a result, it is crucial to acknowledge that family violence is the consequence of and reinforced by inequality.

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We require more detail in the plan about mainstream services and how they would integrate with family violence service responses. This type of detail could include identifying that women who experience family violence repeatedly access places like hospitals where family violence workers are not generally located. In 2007-2008, 1804 women attended western region hospital emergency departments with family violence-related injuries.1 Australian data about the number of times women were re-admitted to hospital is not available. However, an American study found that one in five women presented at the emergency department at least eleven times with trauma. Women’s Health West recommended developing systems that support this type of data collection and information sharing between hospitals and family violence support services. While the plan acknowledges children’s vulnerability, we suggested that it go further and link prevention strategies with the impact that family violence has on children. Children’s experience 1 Diemer, K. 2009, Measuring Family Violence in Victoria: Victorian Family Violence Database Volume 4: Nine Year Trend Analysis, Victorian Government Department of Justice, Melbourne.

of family violence is clearly linked with their future health and wellbeing, and as such, early intervention and support of children is critical to any family violence response and prevention plan. WHW recommend that this plan support the Auditor-General’s recommendation to strengthen the justice system to hold men accountable for criminal behaviour perpetrated in the home. One way of doing that would be to highlight strategies to develop system responses that increase men’s accountability and that go beyond voluntary men’s programs. For example, in order to reduce recidivism rates we need more comprehensive, long term approaches to responding to perpetrators. Perpetrators mandated by the court to attend men’s behavioural change programs should be monitored, not only for attendance, but also to track whether the behaviour has changed once they have completed the program. Information (e.g. court report) about perpetrators’ previous involvement with behavioural change programs should also be available to the court if the perpetrator re-offends. We look forward to the completed plan due for release later in the year. In the meantime you can read the full WHW submission at www.whwest.org.au

Identifying family violence Deborah Armour, Intensive Case Management Project Worker for Women with a Disability

Elevated risk Family violence is the leading cause of death and disability for Victorian women aged between 18-44 and women with disabilities are two and a half times more likely to experience family violence than other women. As a result, disability workers need to be alert to signs of family violence and we encourage them to phone our service if they are concerned for a woman’s safety at home.

a poster for disability workers

Despite their increased risk, Women’s Health West does not receive a great deal of requests from women with disabilities experiencing family violence and seeking information, support or refuge. In the last reporting period for example, 12 per cent of WHW family violence outreach clients identified as having a disability of some kind. Like other women, women with disabilities can be reluctant to approach a family violence service for fear of the unknown or fear they will be at greater risk if they ask for help. They can also experience the added fear of their current supports being removed or losing access to an accessible home. All women experiencing family violence who contact our service are provided with support and a range of options to allow them to make informed decisions.

Raising awareness In February 2010, Women’s Health West designed a poster to encourage clearer referral pathways for people working with women with disabilities who are experiencing family violence. The poster is aimed at workers and clearly defines family violence. Part of this definition involves identifying the types of relationships that fall under the term ‘family’ violence. The Family Violence Protection Act 2008 acknowledges that the definition of family violence as it applies to women with disabilities requires a broader scope to reflect their complex and diverse relationships. The definition now includes carers (paid or unpaid) or culturally defined ‘family members’. So the poster explicitly names these

other relationships by referring to ‘partners, carers or family members’. We distributed the poster to disability services in the western metropolitan region and through the Department of Human Services to encourage workers to contact Women’s Health West to discuss the safety of their client or to make referrals. Women’s Health West is a confidential service and we support women

experiencing abuse to take control of their decisions and their lives. Every woman has a right to be safe at home and to receive information about her options. Options may include alternative or additional disability support services. If you would like a poster to display at your workplace, please contact Women’s Health West on (03) 9689 9588 or email info@whwest.org.au

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FARREP Projects Update The Family and Reproductive Rights Education Program (FARREP) aims to prevent the occurrence of female genital mutilation (FGM) and increase the quality of care and access to sexual and reproductive health services for women from communities affected by FGM. This occurs through community education for women and professional development for service providers. For more information about FARREP at Women’s Health West, call 9689 9588 or visit http://www.whwest.org.au/ community/african.php

Reem Omarit and Zahra Jafar, FARREP Community Workers

Community Education WHW FARREP workers have long been running community education information sessions about general women’s health issues for groups of African women, including those from FGM-affected communities. These sessions intend to support women to take a lead on looking after their health, to improve women’s sexual and reproductive health and access to mainstream health care services, and to increase African women’s knowledge of health and welfare services with a focus on reducing the incidence of FGM. In the past few months FARREP workers have established relationships with different agencies in the west such as New Hope Foundation, AMES (Footscray) and Good Shepherd (St. Albans) to collaborate on the 2010 community education program. We will run community education information sessions for an hour each week with each of these agencies. The FARREP team is also developing community education modules to aid with program delivery. Women

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in the groups have a variety of health topics they’d like to know more about, including mental health and wellbeing, breast, cervical and heart health, antenatal and postnatal health, and diabetes. Our main goal is to provide African women in the west the support and advocacy they need to live healthier lives.

Professional Development In November 2009, as part of Women’s Health West’s work with maternal and child health nurses over the past two years, over 40 maternal and child health nurses from Moonee Valley, Brimbank, Maribyrnong and Melbourne City Councils participated in the FARREP professional development session at Tweddle early parenting centre in Footscray. This was the largest session we’ve run and it was exciting to see such commitment to working with women affected by FGM. The session aimed to consolidate maternal and child health nurses’ knowledge of female genital

mutilation (FGM) and communities affected by the practice. Maternal and child health nurses discussed ways to provide information and support to affected women, negotiating women’s beliefs around FGM and raising their awareness of its harmful effects on health. The feedback received from participants was positive. Prior to the session I have not been asking women about FGM, however I am now going to include the question in my health assessment. —Program participant

Women affected by FGM can experience long-term health effects, particularly during pregnancy and birth. They are also in need of postnatal health support. Maternal and child health nurses provide much needed information and support for FGM-affected women regarding their health and the health of their children. In the coming months, we anticipate running the program for maternal and child health nurses in Melton and Hobsons Bay City Councils.

Women Understanding Money in Australia Sally Camilleri, Health Promotion Worker

Is budgeting the biggest financial problem for newly-arrived women? The simple answer is no. On top of the gender inequality, unemployment, low income and isolation that many other women living in Melbourne’s outer west experience, newly-arrived women also face the disadvantages associated with the refugee experience and settling in a new country. A 2009 project by the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health found that financial wellbeing remains an elusive goal for immigrant and refugee women, because of high migration and settlement expenses. Large numbers of these women are also in lowpaid and precarious employment or are unemployed. These two aspects result in financial insecurity and large unpaid debts being common among newly-arrived women.

Understanding complex financial systems We updated readers of WHW News in the last two issues about our programs with Karen and South Sudanese women. Through these programs we found that newly-arrived women are very skilled at managing their households with the limited resources they have; they simply don’t have enough money. Our consultations revealed that newly-arrived women need help to understand Australia’s complex financial systems that can be very costly if not clearly understood. Women needed answers to questions like: ‘What concessions am I entitled to?’ ‘How do the banks work?’ ‘What is a contract?’ ‘What do I do if my friend gets a traffic fine while driving my car?’

Running a business The needs of women who have been in Australia a little longer can be different. Many Somali women, for example, have been in Australia for between fifteen and twenty years and have discovered the answers to many of these questions. They now want to

know how to establish and maintain their own businesses in Australia. Women’s Health West, Moonee Valley City Council and the North Western Migrant Resource Centre approached the Australian Taxation Office, Victoria University and Centrelink to run a business forum with Somali women. We held the forum on 12 October in Flemington, a pocket of the west that is home to many Somali women living in public housing. Twenty-five women came to the Flemington Community Centre to hear Haefa Adam speak about a Victoria University course where they could learn how to develop a business plan. Adibeh Abdo Attia, from the multicultural unit in the Australian Taxation Office hosted a question and answer session about business tax and eligibility for specific business deductions. After a delicious Halal lunch, Cuc Lam from Centrelink explained the payments available to those enrolled in the business course and the effect of running a business on entitlements. Women described the forum as very useful; they appreciated the discussions and finding out where to get help when they need it.

Housing and finances Housing is a huge drain on women’s income. Many Karen women in Werribee had very little money while living in private rental accommodation, while the Sudanese women we met struggled to understand and negotiate mortgage payments for homes purchased in Melton.

Funds for WHW

‘This project is a model for good practice in community development. Steering group meetings were productive and it was great to see ideas and strategies delivered to the community in a practical and effective manner. Congratulations to Women’s Health West for the great work done so far.’ Erin, Migrant Resource Centre NorthWest

In addition to the Somali women’s business forum, Women’s Health West also facilitated a six-week financial literacy program with Somali women in Braybrook. Women here live in private rental accommodation or in free-standing public housing and face the challenge of paying utility bills. Compared to the Somali women living in the Flemington estate, the women living in Braybrook are often isolated from community services, like the homework clubs offered by the estates. These observations formed the foundations of our program.

Looking to the future In 2010 we started working with South Sudanese women in St Albans and with Karen women in Laverton to design financial literacy programs that are relevant their individual circumstances. While Women’s Health West is committed to continuing this work, the irony is that we face the challenge of establishing secure funding to do so. References Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health, (2009) To Every Women: Money, Power, Freedom credit and debt experience of immigrant and refugee women

Meriem Idris, Bookkeeper / Senior Administrative Officer

Women’s Health West would like to extend our thanks for the following financial contributions from September 2009 to February 2010. Donations $1,500 from Zonta Club of Melton $257.50 from staff of AIA Australia

$150 from the Criminal Justice Division of the Magistrates Court of Victoria $4,000 from Sunshine Court

Donations to WHW 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

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Women in the region

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Words and pictures by Scout Kozakiewicz

rania is a determined, persistent woman with a strong belief in what is just. She has been very successful in advocating for people with disabilities. Her current activism stems from this but it hasn’t always been the case. ‘I have always been rebellious and political. Usually for other people before I had the disability. The basis of it is my independence and mobility. I had to fight for that. Anyone would be stupid not to know that you have to fight for something from the government, especially if you are from a minority. We don’t have much clout.’ ‘The first bit of activism, if you want to call it that, was with the Maribyrnong City Council of Footscray. I’d moved into Yarraville and the footpaths were horrendous, and you can see that I am in a wheelchair. It took me ages to get through to the right department. I had to wait two weeks for the first reply and they were shunting me from person to person. I worked out that their communication process was pretty sloppy, so I addressed that. I made a real big fuss and as a result, they actually asked me to come onto the Disability Action Committee. So out of eighteen people, there were six places. Not bad for something you didn’t apply for. So the people responsible for doing the roadwork actually got the people from the DAC and asked me to show them the footpaths. They actually got done in eight weeks.’ The council’s communication process was also modified as a result of Urania’s experience.

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Anyone would be stupid not to know that you have to fight for something from the government, especially if you are from a minority. We don’t have much clout. She has been involved in making changes to public transport access in her local area and sits on various panels for the Equal Opportunity Board, the Electoral Office and Centrelink. She has trained in public speaking, which she finds extremely useful. ‘What I usually give talks on is my experience with organisations and basically I say, “Knowledge is power, right? You’ve got to have your information and have a persistent attitude.” I am not averse to some conflict; I don’t care what people think, within reason. I find a lot of people are too scared to create waves. I mean what have you got to lose? What I say when I give my talks is: expect no for an answer, don’t take no for an answer.’ ‘I was diagnosed with MS in November 1989. It happened quite suddenly. I started getting wobbly in the legs. It would settle down, then it started again.’ On the day Urania was told

she went into complete shock. ‘I felt like I had fallen into an empty, black, bottomless pit. Then I thought I am gonna get over this because I believe in positive thinking.’ ‘I got into a fantastic rehabilitation program in 1990 called CRS (Commonwealth Rehabilitation Scheme). They put me onto various exercise programs, swimming and hydrotherapy. They also put me into a garden centre for people with disabilities. That started my passion for gardening. I became a volunteer there and was the acting co-ordinator for two months. I was their success story.’ ‘Basically, at the moment things are pretty good. I think I have been through the worst of it. I have got a lot of support around me, which I didn’t have before and I have made a lot of friends. I would say, find out what you are interested in and just get out there and try, try, try!’

Membership form Membership is free. To apply, fill in this form and mail to Women’s Health West: 3 17–319 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)

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Featured publication

REtroSPECT: 21 years of women’s health in the west of Melbourne PHOTOGRAPHER Meredith O’Shea

n Wednesday 25 November 2009, The Incinerator Arts Complex was filled to capacity for Women’s Health West’s 21st Birthday and Annual General Meeting celebration, where the Hon Joan Kirner AM launched Women’s Health West’s history book REtroSPECT: 21 years of women’s health in the west of Melbourne. The book is the product of the work of many women that have contributed significantly to the work of Women’s Health West over the past twenty one years of service.

The Hon Joan Kirner MA, Esther Singer (writer) and Dr Robyn Gregory (CEO)

Written by Esther Singer and illustrated by Isis & Pluto, whose beautiful graphics we hope you come to associate with Women’s Health West, this compilation of photos and stories highlights some of our work over the past two decades. If you would like to receive a FREE copy of REtroSPECT please complete the order form below, contact us on (03) 9689 9588, or e-mail the Information and Administration Worker veronica@whwest.org.au.

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EVENTS

Women’s Health West Special General Meeting 5.30pm, Wednesday 2 June 2010 317-319 Barkly Street, Footscray A meeting will be held at Women’s Health West to vote on proposed changes to the constitution. Please find details of the proposed changes on the flier inside this newsletter. For any queries and to RSVP, please contact Julie Veszpremi on 9689 9588.

Sunrise Women with Disabilities Group These Laverton and Werribee groups are for women with disabilities to meet in the outer west of Melbourne. Groups run from 10.30am-1.30pm on the first (Laverton) and the last (Werribee) Friday of each month. Morning tea is provided and attendant care is available for all activities. All women with disabilities in the outer west are welcome to attend, celebrate life and meet like-minded women. 7 May 2010 Budgeting and Finance Laverton Community Centre, 12 Crown St Laverton

Diversity in Health 2010 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre 7 – 9 June 2010 Diversity in Health is Australia’s premier multicultural health conference, drawing over 800 practitioners and policy-makers. Key themes include cultural integrity in patient care and service delivery, the right to health and modern multiculturalism, with specialist sessions on aged care, mental health, health literacy, family violence, sexual health and other critical issues. (03) 9342 9700 enquiries@ceh.org.au www.diversityinhealth.com.au The major focus of the conference will be to continue the work of getting women’s health as a priority issue onto the public agenda. In particular, the conference offers a platform for mobilising capacity for women’s health and wellbeing in Australia in the context of the Federal Government’s agreement last year to develop a new national women’s health policy. (03) 6234 7844 paula@leishman-associates. com.au http://www.leishman-associates. com.au/awhn2010/

NOTICES The Victorian Honour Roll of Women Women’s Health West congratulates Keran Howe, CEO of the Victorian Women with Disabilities Network, who was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women on 4 March 2010. Keran works to challenge stereotypical perceptions of women with disabilities and highlights the contribution they make to community life. Congratulations on this well deserved honour Keran!

28 May 2010 Health information on sexuality Iramoo Community Centre, 84 Honor Avenue, Wyndhamvale 3 June 2010 Art Therapy Laverton Community Centre, 12 Crown St Laverton 26 June 2010 Health information in your local area Iramoo Community Centre, 84 Honor Avenue, Wyndhamvale For more information ring Lindy Corbett at WHW (Wednesdays or Fridays) on 03 9689 9588 or email lindy@whwest.org.au

Great Australian Heroines Jodie Forsyth is writing a book called Great Australian Heroines and is looking for information concerning Australian women from settlement to 1960, who were born before 1930, have left their mark within their local communities, and have never received any formal recognition for their actions. If you know of any wonderful women within your local area whose good deeds changed for the better the life of just one person or the entire community, please contact greataustralianheroines@gmail.com or J. Forsyth, P.O. Box 2009, Moorabbin, Vic. 3189.

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Women’s Health West in the News In November 2009 we launched our history book, REtroSPECT: 21 years of women’s health in the west.

Family violence in the news

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

9689 9588

9689 3861

info@whwest.org.au

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Family violence is the single largest reason people seek housing assistance.

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