Latest News
AWHN applauds NSW Government sign on to Our Watch
The Australian Women’s Health Network (AWHN) applauds the NSW Government decision to join all other Australian state and territory governments as members of Our Watch. “We are delighted the NSW Government has finally committed to supporting Our Watch’s critical work as a nationally consistent approach to the prevention of violence against women and their children […]
Women’s Sexual & Reproductive Health requires PM leadership
The Australian Women’s Health Network urged Prime Minister Morrison today to support women’s public health access to important sexual and reproductive health services following the launch of its Women and Sexual and Reproductive Health: Second Edition 2019 Position Paper. The letter emailed Tuesday 16 April has been reproduced below. Dear Prime Minister Morrison The demonstration […]
Women’s Health and the May Federal Election
In early February the Australian Women’s Health Network called on political commitment to five key proposals, that if implemented by a national government would mark a new beginning for women’s health at the national level and contribute to the creation of a fair and healthy society. We have had a very positive and supportive response […]
AWHN welcomes Coalition Government focus on women’s health
The Australian Women’s Health Network welcomes the Federal Coalition Government’s announcement of increased funding to a number of specific issues in its National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030, released 9 April 2019, but it does not go far enough. This investment is predominantly in areas of reproductive health, such as ovarian cancer research, endometriosis research and […]
AWHN Applauds Labor National Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy
The Australian Women’s Health Network applauds the Labor Party announcement today that it will deliver a National Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy if elected.
Labor’s strong leadership in this commitment will make a significant difference to the health and wellbeing of Australian women and their families.
AWHN calls for political commitment to Women’s Health Charter 2019
With a federal election to be held in the next few months, the Australian Women’s Health Network (AWHN) today called on all political parties and key independents to make known their commitment to women’s health and wellbeing.
They were sent the AWHN Women’s Health Charter 2019 and supporting evidence in The Voice of Womens Health.
AWHN asked them to endorse the Charter and its 5 key proposals.
Action for Abortion to be removed from every state Criminal Code
As the year draws to a close we are preparing for a big year in 2019. The action to remove abortion from every state Criminal Code will continue.With a NSW state election in March there is action underway to make sure thisis achieved in NSW. AWHN is supporting this campaign through an open letter.The letter […]
Unprecedented alliance calls for zero pollution in Australia
In an open letter to all Australian Parliamentarians, an unprecedented alliance of 51 health, environment, legal, aid, union, farming, and religious groups state have called for all parliamentarians to commit to strong emissions reduction targets, stating: “Australia and Australian people stand to lose so much from the impacts of climate change; it is in our […]
The future of the Australian Women’s Health Network
AWHN members may be aware that since 2012, AWHN has had 3.5 years of Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing funding. This funding has enabled us to move from a purely volunteer ad hoc effort behind a national voice for women’s health to one of significant outcomes against each of our 4 priority areas. These […]
AWHN Contributes to Change the Story: Framework to prevent Violence Against Women and their Children
The Framework developed in partnership by Our Watch, VicHealth and Australian National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) was launched on 10 November at Parliament House Canberra. AWHN staff and Board members provided input into the development of this document during through various consultation avenues over the past year and references have been included to […]
Women’s Health Networking events at World Congress in Melbourne
Planning and organisation for the 15th World Congress on Public Health is well underway. The committee was thrilled that over 2000 abstracts were received. This is the first time that this important event has been held in Australia. Early Bird registration closes soon. Click here to register. We would like to invite you to the […]
Call to Action – Paid Domestic Violence Leave
We have been working with the ACTU to support their Paid Domestic Violence Leave Case in the Fair Work Commission and we urgently need your help this week for a successful outcome. For information about the case and what you can do please read Erin’s invitation below. Thanks in advance for your support in this […]
Media Release – Stopping violence against women demands more than awareness raising
It is concerning that the White Ribbon Foundation is reported to be in turmoil. Their approach to awareness raising should be subject to visible evaluation as to its impact on changing violence supportive behaviours and attitudes. Primary prevention of domestic violence demands more than awareness raising. It requires collaboration and co-operation in putting in place […]
Media Release – A decision on the future of AWHN
Federal government health funding cuts lead to drastic rationalisation of Australia’s only women’s health promotion peak body. Government funding cuts to the the Australian Women’s Health Network (AWHN) has forced the organisation to make drastic changes to the way the 30 year old network will operate beyond 2016. From January 2017, the organisation will become […]
Last call for Abstracts – World Health Congress
We are a partner in the 15th World Congress on Public Health, which will be held in Australia for the first time on 3 – 7 April 2017 in Melbourne. There are only 2 weeks left for abstracts to be submitted. We know there is leading work being done in the women’s sector so encourage […]
Media Release – Coalition response, disappointing for AWHN
The Coalition has not endorsed the first Australian Women’s Health Charter or committed to any of its four proposals. The Australian Women’s Health Network (AWHN) is disappointed in the Turnbull Coalition Team response to its call for support of the Australian Women’s Health Charter if elected. The Coalition neither acknowledged the Charter nor addressed any […]
Media Release – Women’s Health Charter Scorecard : Election 2016
Update: Scorecard has been updated since receiving a response from the Turnbull Coalition Team. The first Australian Women’s Health Charter, developed in the lead up to the Federal election by the Australian Women’s Health Network (AWHN), called on political parties to commit to action ensuring the health and wellbeing needs of all women in Australia are met. […]
Funding and donations still urgently needed to save the Australian Women’s Health Network
Dear AWHN members, friends and supporters We’ve had a busy few weeks in the AWHN office. The launch of the first Women’s Health Charter has been very successful. Thank you to those who have been sharing our social media posts and signing up to support the Charter. You can still add your name or organisation […]
Media Release – The Australian Greens announce support for AWHN
The Australian Greens announce their support for the Australian Women’s Health Charter and commit to funding the Australian Women’s Health Network if elected. The Australian Women’s Health Network welcomes the endorsement of the first Australian Women’s Health Charter and funding commitment by the Australian Greens. Australian Greens Senator for Queensland and spokesperson for women, Larissa […]
Media Release – ALP announces support for women’s health if elected
ALP announces support for the Australian Women’s Health Charter and commits to funding the Australian Women’s Health Network if elected. The Australian Women’s Health Network is delighted at the endorsement of the Australian Labor Party for the first Australian Women’s Health Charter. The ALP leader Bill Shorten announced their position as follows: A Shorten Labor […]
Media Release – AWHN faces job losses
Australian Women’s Health Network faces job losses unless Federal Government funding reinstated Call on all political parties for support for vital work of AWHN 30 year contribution in driving better health outcomes for all Australians at risk The critical work of the Australian Women’s Health Network is under threat with the organisation warning all jobs […]
Media Release – Support from Glenn Lazarus
The Australian Women’s Health Network is delighted to announce the endorsement of the Glenn Lazarus Team for the first Australian Women’s Health Charter. In a letter to the Australian Women’s Health Network (AWHN), Queensland Senator Glen Lazarus wrote: “I am a strong supporter of women’s health and taking the necessary measures to ensure every Australian […]
Media Release – Launch of Australian Women’s Health Charter
The first Australian Women’s Health Charter was launched today by the Australian Women’s Health Network (AWHN). The Australian Women’s Health Charter seeks to influence all political parties in the lead up the 2016 Federal election. It calls on them, if elected, to commit to national leadership in taking action to ensure the health and well-being […]
Call for support
Dear AWHN members, friends and supporters Today we are writing to ask for your help. For 30 years the Australian Women’s Health Network has been the only national voice for women’s health in Australia. Late last year, we were advised we would not be receiving a continuation of our funding from the Australian government. You […]
Call for abstracts for the World Health Congress (Melbourne)
AWHN is partnering with Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) and others in organising the 15th World Congress on Public Health in Melbourne (3-7 April 2017), for the first time in Australia. Analysing, demonstrating and sharing local, regional and global public health lessons particularly gender and discrimination is a key objective of the Congress. We […]
A gendered look at emergency response
A look at the recent devastating bushfires in WA and SA, indicate that more men die in these disasters, but the number of women is increasing. This recent article from The Conversation supports the findings in our position paper from 2014, the Impact on Women’s Health of Climatic and Economic Disaster which can be found […]
The future of the Australian Women’s Health Network
AWHN members may be aware that since 2012, AWHN has had 3.5 years of Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing funding. This funding has enabled us to move from a purely volunteer ad hoc effort behind a national voice for women’s health to one of significant outcomes against each of our 4 priority areas. These […]
Support the Australian Women’s Health Network
We are a not for profit organisation who has been advocating for Australian women’s health and wellbeing for almost 30 years. We have recently joined two fundraising initiatives to allow our supporters to support us in the work we do. Online accommodation booking via Quickbeds Simply by booking your accommodation through the Quickbeds website, we […]
Unprecedented alliance calls for zero pollution in Australia
In an open letter to all Australian Parliamentarians, an unprecedented alliance of 51 health, environment, legal, aid, union, farming, and religious groups state have called for all parliamentarians to commit to strong emissions reduction targets, stating: “Australia and Australian people stand to lose so much from the impacts of climate change; it is in our […]
Meeting with Julia Gillard
Julia Gillard, Former PM, AWHN Chairperson Marilyn Beaumont, CEO, Kelly Banister and SA Board Member Wendy Abigail met recently to discuss AWHN capacity building through philanthropic funds, now that the organisation has a tax deductible gift recipient and health promotion charity status. It is vital that AWHN continues efforts in diversifying funding sources, and the […]
Media Release – Launch of Women’s Health Hub
Federal Minister for Health the Hon Sussan Ley MP to launch a new online resource that will assist health planners, policy makers, researchers and service providers improve women’s health and well-being. For the first time in Australia the Women’s Health Hub: Australian Women’s Health Network Clearinghouse will provide a searchable, single entry point at the […]
Junkee Article on the Homeless Period
CEO, Kelly Banister provided comment to youth news site Junkee, on women, poverty and their ability to be able to afford sanitary products. The article was prompted by a recent campaign in the UK known as the Homeless Period.
Doing Better: Gender-Transformative Public Health Messages
Innovative new resource supports public health message makers to do better. Monica Dux, Age columnist, author and women’s issues commentator said: “Doing Better: Gender-Transformative Public Health Messages is an important and opportune resource. The Australian Women’s Health Network have provided a clear and concise guide on how to best integrate gender into public health messages, as well […]
Data on Australian Infant and Child Mortality
Child Mortality Data Liquid Gold for Health Policymakers. The detailed data on Australian infant and child mortality produced this week by the National Health Performance Authority is liquid gold for health policymakers, the Australian Women’s Health Network (AWHN) claims. Not only are surprising variations in mortality rates revealed but the report also provides information on low birth weight, […]
The Impact on Women’s Health of Climatic and Economic Disaster
Climate change and economic disasters provide opportunities to focus on women’s health. The Australian Women’s Health Network (AWHN) has released a position paper which identifies the effects on women’s rights and women’s health during periods of intense climatic and economic change. The paper titled The Impact on Women’s Health of Climate and Economic Disaster explains the […]
Health and the Primary Prevention of Violence against Women
Recommendations for a way forward in eliminating violence against women. The Australian Women’s Health Network (AWHN) has released a position paper which focuses on best practices for the primary prevention of violence perpetrated by men against women. The paper Health and the Primary Prevention of Violence against Women has been developed as a resource for public education, […]
Women and Non-Communicable Diseases (Chronic Conditions)
A new approach is needed to improve the lives of women with chronic health conditions. The Australian Women’s Health Network (AWHN) has released a position paper outlining recommendations to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of chronic conditions for women. The paper Women and Non-Communicable Diseases (Chronic Conditions) examines the gender implications of diseases such as diabetes, […]