Gender equity in health
To drive gender-transformative health systems in Victoria
Respect; inclusion; innovation; courage; excellence
Health looks different for everyone - but accessing optimal health care is a fundamental human right for us all. Yet women and gender diverse people still face deeply rooted challenges accessing equitable care, from a health system that was never built for, or with, them.
As a leading feminist organisation since 1993, we advocate on behalf of people facing bias and discrimination due to their gender and other social determinants of health. We empower women and gender diverse people to navigate healthcare systems and make informed choices about their health. We bring groups together to shape a gender equitable future and we help build capacity within government and the sector on how to apply a gendered lens.
We are focused on addressing key areas of health inequity faced by women and gender diverse people, including sexual and reproductive health, mental health and wellbeing, cancer, and other barriers to living a healthy life like gendered violence, sexism and misogyny.
We offer practical and essential direct services and resources, including:
Read more about what we do, our impact, and our highlights and achievements each year in our Annual Report.
VIEW WHV Annual Reports
Our strategy aims to transform systems, strengthen our organisation and amplify our impact.
VIEW our Strategic Plan
The Victorian women’s health policy and health promotion landscape is strong and active. Victoria leads the nation in providing a network of coordinated women’s health services that cover the entire state.
Women’s Health Victoria is one of the three statewide services, which along with nine regional services have been a driving force progressing and shaping Victoria’s women’s health and equality for four decades. Today, the 12 women’s health services funded through the state government’s Victorian Women’s Health Program make up the Victorian Women’s Health Services Network. This enables us to work as a coordinated, mutually reinforcing statewide network comprising both place-based and specialist services.
Read more.
In 2023-24 Women’s Health Victoria is proudly celebrating our 30th anniversary.
Women’s Health Victoria was formed in 1993 (then called Healthsharing Women’s Health Resource Service until 1996) as a result of the amalgamation of Healthsharing Women and the Women’s Health Resource Collective.
These remarkable services led the way for many years in bringing women’s health to the fore, raising awareness about the need for all women to have a voice in their health care and have access to quality information to meet their needs and make informed choices.
Over the past 30 years WHV has been at the centre of many contemporary issues and advances in women’s health and gender equality. Our organisation now boasts an extensive network of staff, volunteers and affiliated health services and is a leading voice on gender equity in health.
Our new 30-year history resources will be available soon! In the meantime, read more in Highlighting 25 Years of Championing for Women, a snapshot of key WHV achievements, year-by-year, from 1993 to 2018.
Browse through photoboards that have captured special moments and the amazing people that have been involved with WHV becoming champions for women.
Enjoy watching the highlights video showcasing WHV’s work and people from 1993 to 2018.
Donate to create change for women
By donating to Women's Health Victoria, you can make a real difference to the health outcomes and fair treatment of women and gender diverse people.
With your help, we can drive social change, address women's health needs and promote fair and equitable healthcare for all.
No contribution is too small, and donations over $2 are tax deductible.
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WHV acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.
Acknowledgement of Country
Women’s Health Victoria acknowledges and pays our respects to the Traditional Owners of the land that our offices are situated on, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. As a statewide organisation, we also acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters across Victoria. We pay our respects to them, their cultures and their Elders past and present.
Our Commitment to Gender Diversity & Inclusion
Women’s Health Victoria’s focus is women (cis and trans inclusive) and gender diverse people. We address feminist health issues and are committed to supporting all people impacted by gender inequity who can benefit from our work. As a proud intersectional feminist organisation, Women’s Health Victoria is working towards meaningful inclusivity, guided by and supporting people who identify as women, trans, intersex and gender diverse.
