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Edition 2 • 2011
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Flanked by police officers and the pillars of parliament WHW CEO and staff stand up (in a neatly symmetrical and pleasingly colourful way) for women’s equity and justice at the equal pay rally on 8 June 2011, read more on page 10
inside: PhotO Veronica Garcia
A word from the ceo
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elcome to the second edition of WHW News for 2011. This edition focuses on our priority area of mental wellbeing and social connectedness, with an emphasis on health and social connections, rather than ill health. Local woman in the region, Wendy, emphasises the importance of social connections to mental health when she shares her insights with us on page 5. And on page 8, health promotion worker Elly Taylor points out that our health system continues to emphasise treatment of disease in funding, health policy and practice, with a clear need to reorient the health system to focus equally on the prevention of ill health before it occurs. For too long we have patched people up in hospital, only to send them home to the circumstances that made them sick in the first place, like family violence, poverty and isolation. One of the most important methods for achieving health and wellbeing is through support for decent wages and conditions, and WHW workers have been out in force to promote the ASU pay equity campaign since Fair Work Australia endorsed the reality that work in the social and community services sector is undervalued and underpaid, that this relates to gender, and that we are entitled to be paid more. As Elizabeth Broderick, Sex Discrimination Commissioner, stated in May: The tendency to dismiss the type of work performed by the SACS sector as ‘women’s
Dr Robyn Gregory work’, and remunerate it as such, is a large part of the problem. And this has a huge flow-on effect. Fair remuneration in the community sector is vital, not just for our progress towards equality today but to ensure that those men and women who do this critical work, the most difficult and the most compassionate work in our society, do not live in poverty in their twilight years.
Our work at WHW makes it fundamentally clear that pay equity is vital not only for workers in this sector, it is vital for all women if we are to change the social and economic conditions that cause and maintain gender disparities. In short, pay equity is a key tool for the prevention of problems such as violence against women, and the death, disability, chronic disease and poor mental health outcomes that result from this. You can find out more information, including ways for you to support this case, on pages 10-11, where you will also find a series of colourful photographs taken at the pay equity rally in June. Over the last couple of months, WHW has coordinated a series of submissions with partner agencies to government inquiries into vulnerable children, health and human rights. Our joint submission on human rights is focused on the belief that a community in which the basic principles of freedom, respect, equality and dignity are culturally embedded, is a community in which all members are able to participate without fear of discrimination, violence or other forms
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women’s health west – equity and justice for women in the west
Equal Pay case gathers momentum p.10 Federal government commits to fair support of community sector wage rise following national day of action
Vulnerable children need more support p.7
WHW advocates for specialised services for children who experience family violence
Financial literacy p.16 Financial counselling program simplifies Aussie system and newly-arrived women reap multiple health benefits!
Continued from p.1 of unfair treatment. These principles underpin each of our submissions, outlined on pages 8, 9 and 12-13. We have also continued to deliver family violence services, presented workshops, papers and posters at conferences, run training for staff in other organisations and developed materials that will allow others to implement programs themselves, just to name some of the work presented in this newsletter on pages 2, 6, 14, 15 and 16. At the award ceremony for the Australasian Reporting Awards (see page 18 for information about our bronze award), one of the judges commented that what really impressed him about WHW was the amount of work we undertake, in comparison to our size. When he first read the report, he assumed our budget was many times its actual size and hoped that our funding bodies recognised what extraordinary value for money WHW offered! While this might further support the case for pay equity, it is also a testament to the extraordinary hard work and dedication of the staff and board of WHW. Well done! ISSN # 1834-7096 Editor: Nicola Harte Newsletter Group: Lynda Memery, Jacky Tucker, Veronica Garcia, Nicola Harte Contributors to this edition: Arbeth Guevara, Kim, Kirstie McLeod, Batsi, Claire Culley, Leigh Russell, Peta Olive, Debra Wannan, Elly Taylor, Jacky Tucker, Kirsten Campbell, Lucy Forwood, Nicola Harte, Robyn Gregory, Sally Camilleri, Scout Kozakiewicz, Teresia Mutisya, Veronica Garcia, Stephanie, Sally, Ruby Roo Photographers: Anne-Sophie Poirier, Bright Light Photography, Kirsten Campbell, Isabel Walsh, Meredith O’Shea, Robyn Gregory, Scout Kozakiewicz, Sally Camilleri, Stephanie, Veronica Garcia 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 2 published: August 2011 Deadline for edition 3: 19 August 2011
whw news edition 2 • 2011
Conference roundup L-R Lynda Memery, Manager Health Promotion, Research and Development; Kirsten Campbell, Health Promotion Worker; Robyn Gregory, CEO; Nicola Harte, Communications Coordinator; Sally Camilleri, Health Promotion Worker; Teresia Mutisya, FARREP Worker
Teresia Mutisya, FARREP worker
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n April this year, nine members of Women’s Health West staff travelled to Cairns for the Australian Health Promotion Association Conference, presenting workshops, lectures and posters on topics as diverse as tackling racism, preventing violence against women, and charting the development of a regional sexual and reproductive health strategy. As part of this varied snapshot of our work, Women’s Health West FARREP presented a poster titled ‘Condemn the Practice not the People: A Social Determinants of Health Approach to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)’. The poster summarises the social determinants of health for women who have been affected by FGM or who come from FGM practicing communities, and outlined several components of our approach to the elimination of FGM. The response from conference participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many service providers expressing interest in incorporating our findings into their own practice. The poster describes compounding factors that impact on the health of women and girls from FGM practicing communities, including:
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stigma based on their appearance or mode of dressing
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Media - mainstream media has sensationalised FGM to the extent of humiliating affected women
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Legal status - the illegal status of FGM can serve to demonise practicing communities
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Health promotion approaches – some mainstream approaches to FGM elimination have not taken into account the marginalised context of the affected communities.
Women’s Health West’s approach to FGM elimination accounts for these compounding factors, knowing that health promotion initiatives that fail to do so are unlikely to be effective. This is because women are likely to be less receptive to change if they feel condemned. Health promotion initiatives that do not account for the minority status of FGMpracticing communities could, in fact, be counter-productive, resulting in mainstream racist backlash.
Women’s Health West works with community women to identify solutions and to guide program design and delivery. Our work aims to increase Language - lack of English language the capacity of women and girls to proficiency can impact on women’s take greater control over decisions access to mainstream services about their sexual and reproductive Racism and discrimination – women health. This is achieved through health can experience prejudice on the promotion activity that builds skills, basis of their processes, networks and strategies ethnicity and within affected communities. their practices, It is through this approach e.g. I overheard that we can work towards a conference Compounding factors that the elimination of FGM. impact on the health of women participant and girls from FGM practicing For more information describing FGM communities about FARREP at Women’s as ‘barbaric’ Health West or to receive Stigma - many a PDF of the poster, please women call 03 9689 9588 or email experience info@whwest.org.au
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Behind the scenes Kim Family Violence Counsellor
As a 15 year old I spent Saturday mornings in Woolworths on the checkout. I’ve managed a fast food restaurant, been an RAAF Air Traffic Controller, a school teacher and a swimming teacher.
Kirstie McLeod
Arbeth Guevara
Receptionist
Health Promotion Coordinator
I travelled through Europe just prior to starting at Women’s Health West and went on to finish my travels in Egypt. My work experience is pretty varied: starting at a Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic, I’ve worked for an ophthalmologist and volunteered on a lion reserve in South Africa. This reception role is a completely new direction for me. I’m happy to be working in an industry I am passionate about with people whose values match my own. I hope to bring enthusiasm, passion and fresh ideas.
My first job was for a supermarket chain in the Philippines as a human resource officer and company nurse so it was an interesting mix of interviewing applicants and workplace medical complaints. Later, as program coordinator for reproductive and sexual health with Save the Children, I trained adolescents and parents to develop their leadership skills. Prior to this role I was a registered nurse for the geriatric unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital. I was eager to get back into development work and hope to create lasting positive change in the lives of the people I will be working with here in Melbourne’s west.
Just before coming here I was a family support worker at the City of Port Philip: a social work role involving mostly outreach. Working with women and families is my passion and I’m looking forward to working in a team that promises to respect and promote women’s and children’s safety, health and wellbeing. I hope to share what I have to offer, and learn ways to promote women’s healing and empowerment.
PHOTO Veronica Garcia
Introducing Ruby Roo Nicola Harte, Communications Coordinator interviewed Ruby Roo the Kangaroo with fellow Children’s Counsellors, Stephanie and Sally
EXCLUSIVE! At forty centimetres tall, the newest addition to the WHW children’s counselling team may seem small but Ruby Roo the Kangaroo’s personality is larger than life and the kids love this cheeky marsupial. How long have you been working at WHW? About 2 months now.
What do you do? I’m a children’s counsellor. My main clients are 5-7 years old but I also do a bit of work with the older ones who warm to me, ‘cos I’m pretty cool. I do a bit of rap’n’stuff. And breakdancing…
So how did you get into this line of work? I ran into Sally and she asked me if I’d do a bit of counselling and I wasn’t sure, so I just came along for a little while and the kids and me sort of… connected, you know? As you do, when you’re a kangaroo. I do a bit of rhyming too.
Ruby the Rhyming Roo! Nice. And what do you do after hours when all the humans go home? Well, me and Eeyore, we chat and I’ve made friends with a puppy in the counselling room.
A bit like Toy Story…? Yup, exactly. I also do a lot of debriefing; some of the toys fulfil a lot of identities for the children so by the end of the day they’re quite confused. In particular, raggedy doll over here, she was a giant yesterday as well as a mum. She’s a naughty girl some days, ah yep, she does it all. So I tend to work with her about self-identity, who she is deep down. She’s pretty resilient but some days are tough on her too so I’m just there for her.
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PHOTOS Veronica Garcia
WHW Staff
This newsletter is going to members of WHW, some mothers and some children, is there anything you’d like to say to them? Ruby: Well, I’d encourage parents, particularly if their kids have had trauma, to spend a bit of time with them and try to do a bit of playing together. What do you think Steph? Steph: Just being with them is great. Notice them, what they are doing and respond. Ruby: Yeah, hang out and reassure them that things are going to be okay and come to counselling if things aren’t okay. Talking to someone can really help and you might get to see me… but I’m pretty booked up.
whw news edition 2 • 2011
Behind the scenes
Claire Culley
Leigh Russell
Peta Olive
Divisional Director Surgical Services, Western Health
Chief Executive Officer, Netball Victoria
Senior Associate, Schetzer Brott and Appel
I have a sincere passion for delivering value and benefits to staff and patients alike by driving results – through collaboration, partnerships, and relationships – as a senior manager in the health care industry.
I am the Chief Executive Officer of Netball Victoria, the peak sporting body for the development of netball in the state, with 39 staff and over 106, 000 members. I am a board member of AFL SportsReady, Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation and now Women’s Health West.
I am a qualified solicitor and a senior associate at Schetzer Brott and Appel lawyers. I have been practising law for over 10 years and represent clients in all Victorian jurisdictions including the Supreme Court, the County Court, Magistrates’ Courts, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and the Federal Court of Australia. My focus is to assist clients to resolve their disputes prior to becoming involved in litigation and I have substantial experience in representing clients in alternative dispute resolution processes such as informal and formal conferences, conciliations and mediations.
Early in my career I was a registered nurse in acute care in Adelaide, Townsville, Canberra and Geelong. Once I’d obtained a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Masters of Public Health I undertook key roles from Director of Nursing, Acting Director Surgical Services, to my current position as Divisional Director Surgical Services at Western Health, with an operating budget of approximately $103 million. My focus is on strategic outcomes that continue to build partnerships and alliances that benefit the western suburbs community of Melbourne.
I spent many years in the AFL environment including Essendon Football Club as General Manager – People and Culture. This was the first role of its kind in AFL and I was the first woman to hold such a position, it was created to drive an organisational culture underpinned by strong values and behaviours. With a Bachelor of Arts, Graduate Diplomas of Education, Social Science (Counselling) and Business, and a Graduate Certificate in Career Counselling for Elite Performers, I am also a qualified secondary teacher and counsellor.
I consider Women’s Health West a natural fit for me as I am passionate about advocating for women’s equality and empowering women to live confidently and to take control of their lives.
Women’s Health West board of directors 2011: L-R Ruth Marshall, Claire Culley, Cath Bateman, Lara Rafferty, Georgie Hill, June Kane, Peta Olive, Leigh Russell, Karen Passey
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PHOTOS Meredith O’Shea
WHW Board of Directors
Women in the region endy has dedicated much of her life to some form of volunteer work. As a girl, she joined the brownies, as a teenager she was a pinkie at the Williamstown hospital. She dreamed of becoming a nurse. The one thing she wanted to do was get her sister’s veil, red cape and silver buckle. Yet, as so often happens with the best laid plans…
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humanity that I didn’t see as a child. You didn’t see people with mental illness, deep depression; you didn’t see drug addicts, they were always locked away. I saw that in there and thought, “There, but for the grace of God, go I” but at the same time, “Who am I to talk? I’ve been with you.”’
On the day of her final exam, Wendy gave birth to her first child. Her priorities had shifted, as she created a home for her husband and baby. The family had not long settled in Newport before Wendy’s husband was called up for national service. Alone with a new baby in a new house she suffered a breakdown and her life was set on a new trajectory.
Thirty-five years on, she reflects, ‘I locked myself up. Never again will I lock myself up. You’ve got to go out, got to be out. Four walls are no good; sitting at home crying is no good.’ Having this experience changed Wendy profoundly. It inspired her contribution as a volunteer at the South Kingsville Community Centre, it empowered her. ‘Well, I am not perfect, I’ve never been perfect. I don’t want to be perfect.’
Wendy recovered from her breakdown with the support of her husband, church community and the nurses of Mont Park who, on her husband’s advice, let her continue to care for her baby. She cites this is a major influence on her rehabilitation. ‘My husband told them “don’t take away her baby or you’ll never get her sanity back.” I also learnt about the other side of
With her three children at school, she dedicated her days to the South Kingsville Centre and Gateway House, in particular the elderly citizens who accessed the centre. ‘I am a people person, and an older people person and that’s where I have always been.’ She found her passion working with the elderly and went on to complete her Personal Care Attendant certificate.
Victorian Women’s Football Team
‘People are out there, you don’t have to be home alone. Enjoy the moments. Life is meant for living.’ ‘I have learnt so much from my senior citzs [citizens]: knowledge, love, understanding, companionship, death, acceptability… their acceptance of me and who I am and what I am.’ Wendy’s curiosity and energy are infectious. She is constantly learning, whether about a new culture or language, all through contacts in her local community. ‘People are out there, you don’t have to be home alone. Enjoy the moments. Life is meant for living.’
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ongratulations to the Victorian women’s football team who recently won their twelfth premiership at the national finals! The Victorian team trekked to Adelaide for a week-long carnival culminating in the grand final on Saturday 11 June, where they defeated Western Australia 16.5 (101) to 3.1 (19). The Victorian Women’s Football League is the oldest and largest Australian rules football league for women in the world, consisting of 22 clubs and 30 teams from Victoria, across four divisions and a total of over 1,000 players. WHW has a number of proud associations with this team, for instance members of the VWFL including Meg Hutchins (pictured wearing a white headband) participated in our International Women’s Day event, I Am Strong, We Are Strong in March this year. Another link is that the red bandannawearing victor in the middle of the pack happens to be Anna Schwager, daughter of our understandably proud CEO, Robyn Gregory.
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PHOTO Robyn Gregory
Wendy W
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Words and pictures by Scout Kozakiewicz
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PHOTOS Anne-Sophie Poirier
Run away to the circus Batsi, Crisis Response Worker
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he Women’s Circus in partnership with Women’s Health West Family Violence Outreach developed and delivered a social circus program for women and their children who have escaped family violence. The program aimed to:
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Provide women and children with a sense of belonging to a group and their community
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Develop and rebuild their trust in themselves, as well as strengthen the trust between mother and child and in others more generally
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Regain or increase their confidence Develop a sense of achievement through their ability to learn new skills
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Promote general physical and mental health and wellbeing
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And have lots of fun!
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& re-discover yourself!
A diverse group of women from the western suburbs of Melbourne met for a three hour circus class once a week over twenty-seven weeks. The Women’s Circus provided a purposebuilt training space, equipment, the expertise of circus skills and performance group facilitators. Women’s Health West supplied the group facilitator and referred interested clients. We designed the program in three phases, with each phase leading to the next. The first phase invited women only, to start something new and begin to build self trust. The second phase took place during the school holidays and was designed for women and their children to learn and grow together, enhance children’s trust and give mothers an opportunity to have fun and play with their children. By the third phase women were outlining the things they wanted to achieve and had developed strong connections and friendships with other participants.
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The program was a success with feedback from participants measuring against the aims of the project. After the program women highlighted positive experiences such as having a safe space to meet new people with their children. They remarked on the supportiveness of the group observing that members valued each other’s achievements when learning new skills with confidence, encouragement, fun and laughter!
“I learnt to be motivated, to believe that nothing is too hard!” “I looked forward to coming to the group every week and having a good laugh.” “I learnt circus skills that l thought l would never have the strength to do and amazed myself!” Women’s Health West and the Women’s Circus are grateful to the Australian Unity Foundation for their $25 000 contribution to this project.
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Protecting vulnerable children
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Jacky Tucker, Manager, Family Violence Services
The Western Integrated Family Violence Partnership (for women and children) Response to Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry
WHW coordinated the WIFV Partnership submission to the recent state government inquiry. Some of the key points in our submission are included here, with an emphasis on the need for specialised services for children and adolescents experiencing family violence.
In 2010 family violence services, child protection services and family support agencies developed regional partnership agreements recognising that the needs of vulnerable children and young people will only be met when we implement a multi-agency approach and work together toward better prevention and early intervention. Although in their infancy, these agreements are proving to be an effective tool for change. In the western region of Melbourne a ‘Think Child’ working group implements the agreement. Membership includes North West Metropolitan Region Child Protection, family support agencies, Child FIRST, Department of Human Services, Victoria Police and men’s, and women and children’s family violence services. The group is currently exploring entry and referral pathways to different service systems and assessing ways to better coordinate a multi-agency response. Family violence services, especially those targeted at children, are underfunded and overwhelmed by the demand for specialist family violence counselling and support. Women’s Health West employs two part time children’s counsellors who service the entire
western metropolitan region. Nearly 25 per cent of our current referrals are from child protection services, or are children who have recently been involved with the child protection system. In 2009-10 we provided individual counselling to 73 children and another 12 children attended our therapeutic group. Yet Victoria Police data shows that 2,795 children living in the western region were present at a family violence incident in 2007-08. Further, around 20 per cent of children exposed to family violence will develop symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) lasting more than twelve months. These figures show that staggering numbers of children are left to recover from the trauma of family violence without the benefit of specialist assistance. The Western Integrated Family Violence Partnership calls for immediate funding of a minimum of four additional children’s counsellors and at least one specialist adolescent counsellor. This would cost the government around $5 million to implement across the state. This would significantly increase the capacity of family violence agencies to work collaboratively with child protection services. For some children and their families, it would also reduce the demand for protective services, resulting in significant savings. Many children exhibiting trauma have been miscategorised as having ‘behavioural problems’, as the symptoms of PTSD include aggressiveness, irritability, high arousal, anxiety and lack of social engagement. If left untreated, or treated incorrectly, children can carry their trauma symptoms into longer-term behavioural problems. The introduction of adequate children’s counselling services is an early intervention strategy that doubles
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Life-sized self portrait, titled ‘The wheel of feelings’ showing the gut feelings of child who has experienced family violence
Young participant in therapeutic creative arts group chose a snake, a crocodile and a shark to represent his feelings
as a prevention strategy given that victims of child abuse and witnesses of family violence are at increased risk of being victims or perpetrators of abuse and violence as adults. It is critical that family violence services are adequately resourced to support children and young people who are victims and witnesses to family violence; not only to support children to recover from the trauma but also to ensure that children are diverted from the child protection system. Please see www.whwest.org.au/media. php for the full submission to Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry.
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PHOTOS Stephanie
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he intersection between family violence services and child protection is well documented. Studies in the US show that between 30-60 percent of children whose mothers were abused were victims of abuse themselves and Australian statistics are likely to be similar. It is clear that family violence and child protection services must work together to improve outcomes for children. While historically these sectors have developed separately, with few and inconsistent examples of collaborative practice and those largely dependent on individual worker relationships and networks, this situation is beginning to change.
Victorian Health Priorities Framework 2012-2022
Our current health system focuses on the treatment of illness
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Elly Taylor, Health Promotion Worker
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Women’s Health West (WHW) welcomed the opportunity to provide feedback and congratulates the state government on the development of a plan that outlines a commitment to ensuring that health services across the continuum of care are responsive to the needs of the community. In our submission we outlined various opportunities for the government to strengthen its plan; in particular, we advocated for a greater focus on preventing ill health and ensuring that Victorian health services are responsive to the health, safety and wellbeing of women living in metropolitan Melbourne. Our current health system focuses on the treatment of illness. We argued that a greater emphasis on health promotion and the prevention of ill health before it occurs is essential to the development of an effective health care system with lower rates of hospitalisation, fewer inequalities in health status between population groups and better health outcomes. A social model of health – that is, a focus on the political, social and economic conditions that impact on people’s health – is central to a plan designed to reorient the health system towards prevention.
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or their social, economic and political status that require gendered solutions.
WHW was pleased to see women’s health identified as a planning priority, with the ‘development and dissemination of health information and research, and the provision of community and professional education’. We encouraged the government to ensure that programs
Health policy must not ignore this fact and WHW strongly advocated for the inclusion of a strategic approach to the primary prevention of violence against women in the health plan. For instance, violence is the leading cause of illness, death and disability for Victorian women aged 15-44 – greater than any other factor including tobacco, alcoholrelated harm and physical inactivity. We also advocated for the inclusion of sustainable initiatives that work to prevent sexual and reproductive ill health – see our article on page 9.
A social model of health – that is, a focus on the political, social and economic conditions that impact on people’s health – is central to a plan designed to reorient the health system towards prevention
and services meet the diverse needs of women across Victoria by also including health policy and practice focused on the key areas of violence against women, sexual and reproductive health, and mental health and wellbeing. Evidence is clear that women are disproportionately affected by violence in the home and that there are particular problems unique to women as a result of either biology
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ILLUSTRATION Isis & Pluto
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n the months following the release of the plan the state government undertook consultations with professionals from the health sector through a series of forums and written submissions.
Photo Isabel Walsh
In May this year the Victorian Health Priorities Framework 2012-2022: Metropolitan Health Plan was released by the Baillieu Government. The plan forms part of a new statewide approach to health and outlines the first stage in the long-term planning and development of priorities for Victoria’s health services over the next decade.
Finally, WHW recommended strengthening the plan’s welcomed proactive approach to mental health given the evidence that men and women experience mental health and mental illness differently, with clear gendered differences in the onset, prevalence, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of mental health and depression. Over the coming months additional health plans will be released, including a Health and Wellbeing Plan, and a Rural and Regional Health Plan. We will continue to work to ensure that women’s health, safety and wellbeing is on the political agenda and firmly embedded in health policy. For more information you can access a copy of our submission at www. whwest.org.au/media.php
Advocating for a Victorian Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy Elly Taylor, Health Promotion Worker
ILLUSTRATION Isis & Pluto
Representatives of the Women’s Health Association of Victoria (WHAV), including WHW CEO Robyn Gregory, met with the newly appointed Minister for Women’s Affairs, Mary Wooldridge, in February to discuss women’s health across the state. WHAV’s offer to brief the minister on strategies for improving women’s sexual and reproductive health led to a proposal to the Baillieu government for the development of a statewide strategy.
Current Victorian data on sexual and reproductive health indicators is limited, with the exception of data on sexually transmitted infections
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system to focus equally on the social and economic conditions that impact on sexual and reproductive health, particularly for people experiencing significant disadvantage and those at higher risk of disease and ill health. For instance, responding to the link between family violence and a woman’s ability to choose when or whether to use contraception or engage in a sexual relationship are vital elements in a comprehensive response.
hile we have a suite of strategies in Victoria that respond to particular aspects of sexual and reproductive health, we lack an integrated statewide approach providing an overarching evidence-based framework for research, policy and program development, and service delivery. This has resulted in a focus on sexual and reproductive health risks (largely sexually transmitted infection and unwanted pregnancy) in isolation from the broader social and cultural context in which they sit, with service responses continuing to emphasise individual health concerns and out-of-date single disease policies.
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WHAV proposed a strategy informed by:
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Current research and consultations with community and professionals working in the sector – noting the clear expertise and interest of organisations including Family Planning Victoria and the Women’s, who have long advocated for a statewide strategy. Strengthened health promotion and prevention initiatives – noting the need to reorient the health
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An integrated approach to sexual and reproductive health policy, health promotion, and service and program delivery, including well-integrated, affordable and accessible health service delivery – noting that integration remains a particular concern for Victorian women living in rural and remote areas where access to sexual and reproductive health services, including those providing termination of pregnancy and contraception, is limited. Data collection to inform good practice – noting that current
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Victorian data on sexual and reproductive health indicators is limited, with the exception of data on sexually transmitted infections. Expanding the scope of reliable and accurate data collection will ultimately inform good practice and improve the sexual and reproductive health of all Victorians.
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The assurance that sexual and reproductive health rights are protected and upheld.
Given the current policy and sector context in the field of sexual and reproductive health, there are clear opportunities for the government to take leadership in this area. In late June WHAV colleagues met with David Davis, Minister for Health, to present and discuss this proposal. A further meeting is planned with Minister Wooldridge to continue discussions.
Please see www.whwest.org.au/media.php for the full proposal to develop a Victorian Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy. Please contact Elly Taylor, Health Promotion Worker, WHW if you have further questions. Email Elly@whwest.org.au or phone 9689 9588.
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So you think you can
… be paid properly? Nicola Harte, Communications Coordinator
On 8 June 2011 Women’s Health West staff gathered at Trades Hall with 2,000 health and community services workers as part of a national day of action in support of equal pay for the community sector. L-R Elly Taylor, Lucy Forwood, Arbeth Guevara make their presence felt at the rally
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egular readers will be aware of the various stages of this campaign, particularly here in Victoria: four rallies over two years, submissions, case studies, court attendance and funky dance moves; but here’s a short summary for those new to the action. The ‘gender pay gap’ refers to the number of extra days per year that women would need to work to earn the same amount of money as men. In the 2010/11 financial year the average gender pay gap was 17.2 percent or a staggering 63 days. The Australian Services Union (ASU) campaign for equal pay has shone a spotlight on the gender pay gap in the social and community service (SACS) sector – 87 percent of whose workers are women. The centrepiece of the campaign involved a landmark pay equity case in which Fair Work Australia
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found that SACS workers are not receiving equal pay and that gender is a significant cause of that pay gap. So why the national day of action? A finding like that means we’re heading toward equity, right? Not yet. To quote Lisa Darminan, ASU Assistant Secretary, ‘We’ve won the moral argument, we’ve won the legal argument, but we still haven’t won the money.’ Which brings our summary up to the present question on everyone’s lips, where will the money come from? Fair Work Australia is reviewing submissions on the rates community workers should be paid. One of those submissions, released as this newsletter goes to press, announced the Federal Government’s commitment to ‘provide fair and appropriate supplementation to help support any phased-in pay increase Fair Work Australia may award.’
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This is a fantastic start but it’s not the end of the story. The Baillieu Government previously said they would provide $200 million over four years to fund the wage increase but hinted that any funding gaps would most likely lead to cuts to jobs and services. We do not want to face losing staff or cutting programs because the state government has not committed to fair and equitable funding that reflects job worth. Neither do we want Fair Work Australia to award negligible rises out of fear that the government’s lack of commitment to funding equal pay could lead to these outcomes. Women’s Health West are continuing to take part in ASU and VCOSS-organised campaigns and have written to the Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, and Minister for Financial Services
and Superannuation, Bill Shorten as our local federal members, requesting a meeting. Following the federal submission, we will also approach our state members of parliament.
What can you do to help?
Keep an eye out for actions you can get involved in, practise the dance routine and get ready to rumble – Women’s Health West are considering some other innovative ideas for drawing attention to this vital matter and will be in touch with our members seeking your support for an action on Equal Pay Day, which falls on 1 September this year. Check www.eowa.gov.au/ Pay_Equity/Equal_Pay_Day.asp for resources to run an Equal Pay Day event in your workplace. The upcoming events section of www. payup.org.au/news/ lists details of the equal pay case decision. Join the ASU if you haven’t already, you’ll receive regular updates about the case and strengthen the campaign with your voice! www.asuvic.asn. au/sacs_brochure_4pgs_1.pdf
Feisty campaigner Zelda D’Aprano, 83, who chained herself to government buildings in an equal pay protest in 1969
One speaker at the Melbourne rally was the feisty campaigner Zelda D’Aprano, 83, who chained herself to government buildings in an equal pay protest in 1969. ‘The gap is still there and all because our work is under-valued,’ she said. ‘If the women of Australia all refused to sell their skills... if we withdrew our skills all over Australia, our country would close down. It would close down precisely because of the importance of the work we do.’ The feisty baton has passed from Zelda and her 70’s cohort to today’s ASU organisers; in place of chains we’re using music and flash mob-style dance moves. A hilarious instructional video is available on YouTube to the tune of Donna Summer’s She Works Hard for the Money; you can learn the crumping, lasso, air saxophone packed routine at www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1wQxIAnKeg
Flash mob-style dance moves fronted by the fabulous (L-R) Deb Batterham, Tash Wark and Cecilia Judge
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whw news edition 2 • 2011
PHOTOS Veronica Garcia
We encourage you to contact your local state member of parliament and urge them to commit to funding this vital move toward improving the status and health outcomes of all women. You can also write to Premier Ted Baillieu directly via this link: http://www. asuvic.asn.au/atlobby.cgi?ID=12
Reviewing Our Rights Kirsten Campbell, Health Promotion Worker
The Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 is currently under review. The Charter – one of only two in Australia – protects twenty mostly civil and political human rights, and has played an important role in helping to raise awareness of human rights, improving individual access to and enjoyment of rights, increasing human rights scrutiny in the development of legislation and policy, and ultimately improving service delivery practice by government and other bodies, as well as many in the community sector. Women’s Health West and Western Region Health Centre have led a response from ten agencies across the western and northern metropolitan regions to the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee.
whw news edition 2 • 2011
The Review of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006
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he review asks whether additional rights should be included in the charter, such as economic, social, cultural, children’s, women’s and self-determination rights. Economic, social and cultural rights are necessary to meet basic human needs such as the right to food, water and shelter, the right to health, to education, to employment and to social security. Traditionally, economic, social and cultural rights have been regarded as ‘second generation’ rights, and as being of lesser importance than civil and political rights. Yet the high levels of absolute and relative disadvantage experienced by many of our clients and target population groups (as indicated by such measures as the SEIFA index1) mean that economic, social and cultural 1 The Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage (SEIFA) is derived from 2006 census data and measures aspects of social and economic conditions in an area such as educational attainment, income, employment and occupation.
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rights are amongst the most important of all rights to them, and are often the rights at greatest risk of being breached. For women who experience compounding forms of inequity and discrimination, this is particularly true. Women with a disability or who are carers; who are Indigenous, non-Englishspeaking, asylum seekers, refugees and migrants; are lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex; who are in/ have been in prison; are socially and geographically isolated; or are on a low income, are all at relatively higher risk of human rights breaches. The fact that the current Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities excludes economic, social and cultural rights can work to isolate vulnerable communities from accessing other charter rights. It is essential that every person be allowed to participate in society by having access to the full range of their rights.
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Women with a disability or who are carers; who are Indigenous, non‐English‐speaking, asylum seekers, refugees and migrants; are lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex; who are in/have been in prison; are socially and geographically isolated; or are on a low income, are all at relatively higher risk of human rights breaches.
For example, a young mother who came to Australia from New Zealand with her abusive husband was subsequently abandoned. As a noncitizen, she was ineligible for Centrelink pension payments. She could not afford to return to New Zealand and could barely afford food. Unable to pay her rent, she became homeless and this led to a series of traumatising experiences while she and her child were living in boarding houses and shelters. No person should be forced to live this way. Inclusion of economic, social and cultural rights in the Charter may have better protected her rights, enabling this particular woman and her child to be safe and to have a life of dignity. We want to prevent vulnerable individuals from ‘falling through the gaps’. Anna Dooland Financial Counsellor Good Shepherd Youth and Family Services Women Understanding Money in Australia (Financial Literacy Program) in partnership with WHW
Our submission argued that rights contained in the following declarations should be explicitly included in the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities:
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International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
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Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
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Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women
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Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Persons
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Convention on the Rights of the Child
Proper promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights are critical to ensure that all people are able to live a life of freedom, respect, equality and dignity. For our communities and clients the charter as it exists provides
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a foundation for the development of a human rights culture by increasing awareness of human rights, as well as increasing capacity for asserting and accessing those rights. By improving the charter’s scope and operation in the ways recommended in our submission, the charter will enable Victoria to progress towards its aim of ensuring all people can access and enjoy their fundamental rights to the fullest extent possible. Please see www.whwest.org.au/media. php for the full submission to the Inquiry into the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006. Please contact Kirsten Campbell, Health Promotion Worker, WHW with further questions. Kirsten@ whwest.org.au 9689 9588
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Talking about FGM with Sunshine Hospital Teresia Mutisya, FARREP Community Worker
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.
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ne of the three broad aims of the FARREP program is to build the capacity and expertise of sexual and reproductive health services to respond to the needs of women and girls affected by, or at risk of being affected by, FGM. Women’s Health West FARREP achieves this by delivering training for health professionals on the social and cultural aspects of FGM. WHW FARREP recently provided a series of training sessions to medical, social work and nursing staff at Western Health. Western Health is a major provider of public health services, including maternity services, for people living in the western region. The hospital serves a diverse and culturally rich community with a large representation of African communities; a target population for the FARREP program.
ILLUSTRATION Deanna Ganyu
Lack of understanding of the social and cultural context of FGM can lead to a judgemental attitude towards women affected by, or at risk of, the practice. This attitude can lead to women not making use of services for fear of being judged. The training delivered by WHW has changed attitudes among hospital staff, with a majority stating they would be more sensitive to the cultural needs of women affected by FGM. One participant said, ‘I will
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approach the women in a more respectful and sympathetic way rather than judging them for doing it [FGM]’ Knowing the FGM status of women is necessary during prenatal care to plan for safe labour and birth. Following WHW’s training, most of the staff expressed confidence to find out the status of their patients. ‘I will not assume anything; I will ask the women if they have been ‘circumcised’ and not use the term FGM’. In addition, the need for clinical education on FGM has been identified and WHW is working with the FARREP team at Mercy Hospital to provide this training for clinicians at Western Health. Women’s Health West congratulates Western Health for embracing the opportunity to better meet the needs of communities affected by FGM, many of whom live in the region. Following this suite of training and the changes that are taking place in the hospital, we anticipate that Western Health will see an increase in the number of women affected by FGM making use of its services. For more information about FARREP at Women’s Health West, call 9689 9588 or visit http://www.whwest. org.au/community/african.php.
Sign up for the whole-school respectful relationships sexual health training everyone’s talking about Lucy Forwood, Health Promotion Worker
Women’s Health West has developed a manual and training designed to create supportive school environments that promote respectful relationships and healthy sexual choices for teenagers.
For the past five years, the Girls Talk – Guys Talk program co-ordinator, Lucy Forwood, has implemented the program in secondary schools in Melbourne’s western metropolitan region. This well-evaluated program has surpassed original expectations resulting in a myriad of achievements and successful outcomes, such as:
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Building the capacity of the whole school to promote the sexual health of young people through its curriculum, community and culture
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Improving the knowledge and skills of year nine students of sexual health and healthy sexual decisionmaking in ways that matter to them
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Maximising the leadership potential of young people involved in the student working group
The content is tailored to the specific needs of the school using quantitative and qualitative research on students’ needs, experiences and concerns. Students, teachers, school leadership and local service providers are engaged to explore factors that young people face regarding their sexual and reproductive health, and they are involved in program delivery to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of the work. Policy and curriculum development is also school-specific and is guided by the primary research undertaken at the initial stages of work with the school.
schools, along with interest from women’s and community health services, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the Health Promotion School Nursing Program, and local government youth services has resulted in the development of a manual and training package to build the capacity of other agencies to implement the Girls Talk – Guys Talk model. WHW employed consultant Wei-Leng Kwok to work with Lucy, to consolidate the existing materials into a user-friendly package aimed at service providers, local agencies and school staff who wish to implement the program in secondary schools. The step-by-step manual will be available to people who have attended the one day training program. If you are interested in registering for training or finding out more please contact Girls Talk – Guys Talk Program Co-ordinator Lucy Forwood on lucy@whwest.org.au
This program is grateful for the support of Western Region Football League Women in Football Federation, Hoppers Crossing Football Club Inc, Hoppers Crossing Cricket Club and the Hoppers Crossing Sports Club Inc for the development of this training package.
High demand for Girls Talk – Guys Talk from secondary
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ILLUSTRATION Isis & Pluto
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irls Talk – Guys Talk is a proactive and integrated approach to working in schools to deliver sexual health education. It combines a year nine sexuality education program with a whole school approach.
Talking about the talk
Tailoring financial literacy to women’s needs Sally Camilleri, Health Promotion Worker
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omen’s Health West’s financial literacy program was established in 2009, with the aim of conducting a series of workshops based on consultations with specific communities detailing their experiences and financial capacity. Regular readers will be familiar with updates regarding our work with South Sudanese women in Melton and St Albans, with Karen women in Werribee and Laverton, and with Somali women in Braybrook and Flemington. Much of the project success has been due to fantastic partnerships created along the way. This began with the initial working groups who offered a wealth of knowledge and contacts, enabling access to communities so we could understand and tailor programs to their needs, and continued with financial services who were able to simplify the complex financial systems in Australia that bamboozle most of us, let alone women who are new to Australia.
PHOTOS Kirsten Campbell, Sally Camilleri
Our work with Good Shepherd Family Service is a great example of such a partnership. Together, Women’s Health West’s project worker and Good Shepherd Financial Counsellor, Anna Dooland, delivered a program with South Sudanese women in 2010 and recently completed a program with newly-arrived Vietnamese women in St Albans. This partnership has improved service access for diverse communities in a sustainable way, as Anna demonstrates above.
Newly-arrived Vietnamese women in St Albans celebrate the completion of the financial literacy program with Women’s Health West’s project workers Sally Camilleri and Kirsten Campbell and Good Shepherd Financial Counsellor, Anna Dooland
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Despite South Sudanese women being well represented within our catchment area, prior to the workshop we had trouble engaging with the community and there was certainly not a good awareness among them about the services Good Shepherd provide. Since participating in the delivery of the workshops, thirteen women from this community have attended financial counselling appointments and have registered to receive cost-free loans as part of our No Interest Loans program. This is a fantastic result! I have received word through the workers that the program is still widely talked about and that the women feel the subject matter was important and extremely relevant to them. Anna Dooland Good Shepherd Financial Counsellor
Following the success of the South Sudanese program Good Shepherd implemented a drop-in model, providing an interpreter one afternoon a week to enable better access for South Sudanese women. The May 2011 program for newlyarrived Vietnamese women participants is already showing similar improvements for women in accessing assistance. I am also pleased to report that as a direct result of these workshops I have seen ten of the women and their families as clients in the financial counselling program here at Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service. As we ordinarily don’t have many Vietnamese clients compared to the large Vietnamese population in Brimbank, the financial literacy program is proving once again to be a great pathway to assist those in that community who need assistance. Anna Dooland
Funds for WHW
Donations
Court Funds
Mt St Joseph Girls College Altona West for CAS school holiday program
Department of Justice – Werribee Court
Debra Wannan, Finance Officer
Jo Harper
$50.00
Magistrates’ Court of Victoria Court Ordered Donation $500.00
Sara Murphy
$50.00
Magistrates’ Court of Victoria $ 200.00
Shukria Alewi
$50.00
Meriem Idris
$50.00
whw news edition 2 • 2011
$193.40
$393.40
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$1,000.00
$1,700.00
TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS $2,093.40
whw news
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)
Winding back the clock on equal opportunity Protesters angry at Victorian rights roll-back
PHOTO Veronica Garcia
Nicola Harte, Communications Coordinator
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omen’s Health West staff unfurled our banner on the steps of parliament house on 1 June 2011 to oppose amendments to the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 2010 that would make it legal for faith-based organisations to deny someone a job on the basis of their gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, parental status or gender identity. The Act was due to commence on 1 August 2011 ‘to eliminate discrimination, sexual harassment and victimisation, to the greatest
possible extent’. It also gave the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission powers to initiate inquiries into discriminatory trends as well as dealing with individual complaints. This was to encourage the systematic identification and elimination of discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Not only do the amendments remove this investigatory power from the commission, they also endorse employment discrimination in religious bodies and schools.
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The Hon. Martin Pakula, Western Metropolitan member of parliament, voted against the amendments, stating that Victoria ‘historically, has been the trailblazer for promoting diversity and equal rights, and every change we have made in the last 30 years has been about enhancing those rights, not removing those rights. This bill changes that, for the first time.’ On 15 June 2011, following five hours of debate in the Upper House, the bill to amend the Act was passed in a vote of 19-17.
whw news edition 2 • 2011
Featured publication
Women’s Health West wins bronze at Australasian Reporting Awards Nicola Harte, Communications Coordinator
On 9 June 2011, the prestigious Australasian Reporting Awards presented Women’s Health West with a bronze award for our 2009/10 annual report.
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Bank of Australia. Other bronze winners included the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department and the Office of State Revenue.
The awards, established in 1950, are run by an independent not-for-profit organisation of volunteer professionals from the business community and professional bodies concerned about the quality of financial and business reporting.
L-R: Georgie Hill, Chair WHW Board Directors; Nicola Harte, WHW Communications Coordinator; Carole Rushford, ARA Board Member and Adjudicator; Dr Robyn Gregory, WHW CEO
Open to all organisations in Australia, New Zealand and Asia that produce an annual report, the awards ceremony provided a rare occasion where representatives from community and welfare, local government, and charities sat beside transport, minerals, and petroleum and manufacturing industries.
‘Women’s Health West is dedicated to continual improvement and we thank the ARA for providing a great way to measure our progress and benchmark our work against rigorous standards’, said Dr. Robyn Gregory, CEO of Women’s Health West. ‘We are proud of this report, which provides a clear overview of the objectives, strategies and outcomes of our programs’, said Dr. Gregory.
Not-for-profits mingled with large corporations including BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Sydney Opera House and the Commonwealth
‘We’ve participated in the awards for the past three years with the aim of improving our transparency and accountability. Achieving a bronze award is a wonderful bonus that has encouraged us to implement the feedback suggestions and aim even higher for the next one.’
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PHOTO Bright Light Photography
he award is a distinguished achievement in reporting and recognises the organisation’s commitment to accountability and transparency.
EVENTS & Notices
Sunrise Women with Disabilities Groups (Laverton and Werribee)
Veronica Garcia, Information and Administration Worker
Every Second Sunday, 8 – 10pm Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre An opportunity for women to swim with other women and children (boys under 6 welcome) Phone: 9688 0298
Newly-Arrived Women’s Health Information Sessions A six week course for newlyarrived women that includes sexual and reproductive health, pregnancy and childbirth, immunization, parenting and relationships, family violence prevention, and social support. Contact: Cath Bevan, Women’s Health Nurse Phone: 8398 4144
10.30am-1.30pm All women with disabilities in Werribee and the outer west are welcome to attend, have fun, meet new women and learn new skills. Morning tea provided, limited transport assistance and attendant care available.
Single Mums Group
2nd Saturday of every month, 2pm – 4pm Come and meet other single mums and their children for afternoon tea and activities.
Phone Lindy Corbett on Wednesday or Friday on 9689 9588 or email lindy@whwest.org.au
Phone: 9687 3347
Free Tai Chi Class for Beginners
Footscray Senior Citizens Club, 130 Buckley Street, Footscray
Women’s Health Information Centre (WHIC) at the Women’s
Wednesdays, 10.30am – 11.30am
Free, confidential, statewide health service offers information, individualised support and referral options on a wide range of women’s health topics.
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese form of gentle physical exercise and suitable for everyone. Contact: Mary Jo, Maribyrnong City Council Phone: 9688 0107 All programs conducted by WRHC above item in partnership with MCC.
New Beginnings Support group for women who have been in, or are currently living in, an abusive or controlling relationship. New women welcome, as well as women who are unsure if they are in an abusive relationship and want to discuss this. Contact Rachel or Marnie on 9411 4333 at North Yarra Community Health
Deer Park
Breakthrough Program designed specifically for separating or separated couples that have experienced circumstances of ongoing unresolved conflict or family violence. Contact Filena on 9363 1811 at Relationships Australia and Community West
Daffodil Day merchandise is on sale throughout August, and you can donate at any time. www.daffodilday.com.au
Ovarian Cancer Research Month
1-30 September The Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation fosters research into ovarian cancer - a disease that claims the life of one Australian woman every 10 hours. www.ocrf.com.au Phone: 1300 OVARIAN (1300 682 742)
Ride2 Work Day – Bicycle Victoria 12 October
Whether you’re a regular cycle-commuter or you’re just thinking about having a go, now is the time to start planning for Ride to Work Day.
Phone: 8345 3045 or 1800 442 007 (Regional/Rural callers) Email a nurse or midwife: which@thewomens.org.au www.thewomens.org.au
FAMILY VIOLENCE SUPPORT GROUPS FOR WOMEN Carlton
The Cancer Council Friday 26 August
Women’s Health West
Western Region Health Centre www.wrhc.com.au Women-only Swimming
Daffodil Day
www.bv.com.au/ride-to-work Phone: 8636 8888
WESTERN METROPOLITAN REGION (Adapted from DVRCV Quarterly Newsletter)
Melton/ Bacchus Marsh
Moonee Ponds
Wellbeing for Women
Groups for Indigenous women and Children
Structured, time-limited group for women who have experienced family violence.
Support group for women affected by family violence; the group is peer-focused so women direct what they wish to learn about.
Ongoing support group for women who have experienced family violence and an ongoing group for mothers and their children.
Contact: Doutta Galla Community Health Centre – Moonee Ponds on 9377 7100 or Carmen on 8378 1600 for more information.
Phone Elizabeth Hoffman House Aboriginal Women’s Services on 9482 5744
Caroline Springs
Playgroup for Indigenous mothers and children
Women’s Becoming Free Group
Women’s Support Group Ongoing support group for women who have been through the Women’s Becoming Free Group. Phone Melton Community Health Centre on 8746 1100
‘GIFTS’ (Gaining Independence Friendship Trust Strength/Success)
Maidstone/Maribyrnong Connections
Group for women who are living in or who have left an abusive or hurtful relationship to come together in a safe and respectful environment to share stories in ways that make us stronger.
Is a group for women who have left an abusive or violent relationship and are now moving on. Explores information and options regarding self-sufficiency, financial counselling, legal issues, sole-parenting, selfesteem and assertiveness.
Phone Lejla 8398 4158 or Mercedes on 8398 4157 at Western Region Health Centre
Save the Children Playgroup
Contact Elizabeth Hoffman House Aboriginal Women’s Services on 9482 5744
Contact Melton Community Health Centre on 8746 1100
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whw news edition 2 • 2011
Breaking news
WHW catchments are covered by the Inner North West, Macedon Ranges and North Western Melbourne and South Western Melbourne Medicare Locals
Medicare Locals
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he final Medicare Local boundaries for Victoria were released by the Federal Government as part of their national health reform process on 20 June. This followed a delay resulting from Victoria’s request for boundary changes, and resulted in significant changes to the boundaries in the western region. These changes will impact on our existing relationships with services in the catchment and will present challenges in preserving the broader primary care sector voice in the west. The size of the western Medicare Local boundary has also been significantly increased, even without accounting for the growth corridors in the region. There were four medicare locals announced for Victoria: Inner North West, Northern Melbourne, Inner East Melbourne, and Barwon. Inner North West includes the cities of Melbourne and Moonee Valley, which are part of WHW’s catchment and coincide with the boundary for the Inner North West Primary Care Partnership (PCP). WHW will continue to be closely involved with our PCPs, with the CEO sitting on each of the two PCP governance groups and our Health Promotion, Research and Development team maintaining their strong involvement in the Integrated Health Promotion Network of each of the PCPs.
Our Community, Our Rights Funded WHW is delighted to announce that the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust has granted WHW $20,000 for the delivery of a new WHW project Our Community, Our Rights.
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Women’s Health West 317-319 Barkly Street Footscray 3011 phone fax email
9689 9588
9689 3861
info@whwest.org.au
website
www.whwest.org.au
Local Government Prevention of Violence Against Women Clusters The Victorian government launched the Preventing Violence Against Women in Our Community Program on Friday 24 June at Knox City Council in Wantirna South.
his exciting project aims to deliver advocacy training within a human rights framework to enable women to participate in society and facilitate change. Supported by an Expert Advisory Group of key community and organisational representatives, Kirsten Campbell, Health Promotion Worker said, ‘This is great news – we look forward to implementing this project. Our community partners and I are really keen to get going after months of planning and research.’
he Victorian Coalition Government will provide $1.26 million over the next four years to undertake initiatives in three regions to develop and refine a whole of community model to prevent violence against women. The three council clusters are the outer east metropolitan region, Loddon Campaspe region, and the western metropolitan region, which includes Maribyrnong, Brimbank and Wyndham City Councils.
WHW will work with South Sudanese women in the first instance, running workshops and supporting them to plan and implement advocacy projects.
WHW are partners in the project in the west, which will build on the foundation of Preventing Violence Together to strengthen a partnership approach across the region.
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women’s health west – equity and justice for women in the west