News & Events
Youth violence response must not overlook violence against young women by their partners
Women’s Health Victoria today commended the release of a report on youth violence by the House of Representatives Family and Youth Committee. ‘Avoid the harm – stay calm’ should be a call to action by all political parties at State and Federal level to act on violence against young women by their current or ex partners.
Media Release (16/07/10) from Women’s Health Victoria
Roadmap to Australian health reform released
The timeline for the further delivery of better health and hospital services was today released by the Minister for Health and Ageing. ‘A national health and hospitals network for Australia’s future: delivering the reforms’ spells out Government timelines and major milestones over coming months and years to implement the major health reforms agreed by the Council Of Australian Governments (COAG) in April 2010.
Media Release (07/07/10) from Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing
Report (07/07/10) from Australia. Department of Health and Ageing
UN body to promote equality for women an historic initiative
Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, said today that the establishment of a single United Nations body to promote equality for women was momentous because it sent an international message that gender equality is and should be important to people and governments around the world. ‘UN Women’ will bring together the financial and human resources of four areas of the United Nations so that its impact on progressing gender equality will be increased.
Media Release (05/07/10) from Australian Human Rights Commission
Australian attitudes to early and late abortion: survey results
An anonymous online survey of 1050 Australians aged 18 years or older showed a high level of support for access to early abortion. 87% of respondents indicated that abortion should be lawful in the first trimester (61% unconditionally and 26% depending on the circumstances). In most of the clinical and social circumstances described in the survey, a majority of respondents indicated that doctors should not face professional sanctions for performing abortion after 24weeks’ gestation.
Article (05/07/10) from Medical Journal of Australia
Ending violence against women globally
The Australian Government agency AusAID today announced a further contribution of $1.25 million to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, managed by UNIFEM. Australia’s contribution helps to achieve global equality between men and women and is directed at reducing violence towards women in developing countries.
Gillard becomes Australia’s first female Prime Minister
Julia Gillard has become Australia’s first female Prime Minister after Kevin Rudd stood aside immediately prior to a ballot to decide the Labor Party leadership. She was unelected unopposed, making her the nation’s 27th prime minister and its first female leader.
Inaugural Speech (24/06/109) from Australia. Prime Minister
Gender equality blueprint 2010 is the way forward
The ‘Gender equality blueprint 2010’ sets out 15 recommendations in five priority areas for improving gender equality in Australia. In launching the document, the Sex Discrimination Commissioner addressed three of the main areas of recommendation – childcare and out of school care; promoting women in leadership; and preventing violence against women. Ms. Broderick urged the Government, political parties, the business sector and the unions to adopt the blueprint and to put innovative gender equality strategies in place.
Media Release (23/06/10) from Australian Human Rights Commission
Report (23/06/10) from Australian Human Rights Commission
Comprehensive support for pregnancy, birth and baby just a phone call away
A new, expanded, national 24 hour ‘Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Helpline’ will commence on 1 July 2010. Women, their partners and families will be able to call 1800 88 24 36 for information and counselling on a wide spectrum of topics relating to pregnancy, birthing and life with a new baby. The service will be provided by the Royal District Nursing Service. The Government has provided further funding of $5.1 million to help a range of peer support organisations provide services to women and families throughout Australia. These organisations are SIDS and Kids Australia, Bonnie Babes and Small Miracles and Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Support (SANDS).
Media Release (21/06/10) from Australia. Minister for Health and Ageing
After 30 years, paid maternity leave finally delivered
Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, today congratulated the Australian Government and the Parliament on the passage of the Australia’s first Paid Parental Leave Scheme. “The implementation of the paid parental leave scheme in Australia is a major triumph, not only for mothers and parents, but for our community,” said Ms. Broderick. “It is a critical piece of social infrastructure that will help deliver stronger outcomes for mothers, families, businesses, the economy and our community as a whole.”
Media Release (18/06/10) from Australian Human Rights Commission
Governments have an obligation to promote healthier portrayal of women in advertising
Women’s Health Victoria today called on Governments across the country to stand up to advertisers who resist regulation of exploitative or sexualized representation of women.
Media Release (16/06/10) from Women’s Health Victoria