National Women's Health Policy Consultation

The Department of Health and Aging is consulting on the development of a new National Women's Health Policy.

The first phase of the consultation process started in March 2009, when the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Nicola Roxon, released a discussion paper. The Alliance consulted with LGBT community organisations and individuals and made a submission in response to this document in June 2009.

The second phase of consultations will start with a series of consultation forums being held across Australia from 30 September until 30 October.  We'll be engaging in this process and encourage you too to get involved!

The National Women’s Health Policy aims to recognise gender as a basic determinant of health, which gives rise to different health outcomes and different needs for women and men.

In line with international developments and the Government's social inclusion agenda, the policy will emphasise prevention, health inequalities in Australian society, and the social determinants of those health inequalities. The discussion document notes that the policy will address the needs of some specific groups, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and women in rural and remote areas, however, it does not acknowledge the specific needs of lesbians, bisexual women and other women who have sex with women, nor the specific barriers and issues faced by trans and intersex people whose bodies may not conform to common understandings of ‘female”.

The National LGBT Health Alliance submission to the first phase of consultation calls on Government to ensure that the policy meets the needs of lesbian and bisexual women and of sex and gender diverse people.

In the second phase of consultation, the Government will engage with consumers, the community, health service providers, and State and Territory governments in an effort to ensure that the policy meets the varied needs of all Australian women at all ages. So, please attend a forum near you and put the issues of sexuality, sex and gender diverse people on the agenda!

National Women's Health Policy State and Territory Consultation Forums

All forums 12-2pm, with light refreshments available from 11:30am

Dates are subject to change so please check the Department of Health and Ageing website closer to the date.

Please rsvp:  Helen.hore@health.gov.au

If you would like more information, please contact the Department directly: National.women's.health.policy@health.gov.au

ACT: Canberra 30 September, Rydges Lakeside

TAS: Hobart 1 October, Bahai Centre & Launceston 2 October, The Tram Shed

NSW: Sydney 9 October, Parramatta & Taree 8 October

SA: Adelaide 12 October, Town Hall & Port Augusta 13 October

NT: Darwin 15 October, Airport Hotel & Alice Springs 14 October, Voyages Resort

WA: Perth 20 October & Broome 21 October

VIC: Melbourne 26 October, The Windsor & Bendigo 27 October

QLD: Brisbane 29 October & Cairns 30 October