Women's Health Victoria

09/10/2026

This World Mental Health Day, we're highlighting the importance of understanding women's mental health through data.

In the Victorian Population Health Survey 2023, 22.7% of Victorian women sought professional help for a mental health problem in the previous 12 months, compared with 14.3% of men.

Help-seeking was highest among women aged 18-24 years (36.9%) and 25-34 years (34.0%). Women help-seekers were also more likely than men help-seekers to be living with another chronic disease.

Data like this helps us understand where support is needed, identify barriers to care, and build more equitable health systems.

Because when we can see the gaps, we can work to close them.

30/09/2026

We're excited to share that our Manager of Evidence and Capacity Building, Sianan Healy, will be presenting WHV's gender equity in cancer care research at the upcoming Women and Cancer Survivorship: S*x, Gender and Society event on Friday 16 October at Health Translation Hub at UNSW Sydney.

Drawing on the experiences of women and trans and gender-diverse people across Victoria, this work explores how gender shapes cancer care and what needs to change to create a more equitable system.

The event is hosted by Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship, a partnership between Cancer Council NSW and UNSW Sydney, and also features a keynote from Dr Ophira Ginsburg, author of the Lancet Commission on Women, Power and Cancer.

If you're interested in improving cancer outcomes and experiences for women, join in person or tune in via livestream.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/women-and-cancer-survivorship-sex-gender-and-society-tickets-2000083415336?aff=oddtdtcreator

29/09/2026

Our manager of 1800 My Options, Carolyn, presented at last night's webinar for more than 100 GPs on medical abortion in Victoria.

Combining our insights from 8500 calls to 1800 My Options a year, with the experiences of Dr Karen Freilich and Dr Sara Whitburn, the session included lots of great discussion about
👉 new and developing practices in medical abortion care
👉 reproductive coercion
👉 pain relief
👉 abortion without ultrasound
👉 post-abortion care

Our 1800 My Options service can help people understand their healthcare options and link them with any of the 880+ service providers on our database to get the care they need.

Thanks to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners for running such a helpful CPD session for members on International Safe Abortion Day!

23/09/2026

Good news for healthcare access across Victoria 💜

The Victorian Government has announced today that new portable ultrasound equipment is being rolled out across Victoria’s 20 sexual and reproductive health hubs!

This means clinicians can provide sexual and reproductive healthcare information sooner, giving people more time to understand their options and make the choice that’s right for them.

More access. More information. More options. That’s a win!

23/09/2026

If you were a patient of Simon Gordon and you'd like a referral to a specialist clinic to review your medical situation, please get in touch as soon as possible.

Referrals to specialist women's health clinics close on 30 September.

If you're not sure what services or support you need, our team is here, ready to listen and discuss your options.

Call us on 03 9664 9330. We're open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

21/09/2026

In Victoria, cancer will impact us all, whether personally or through a friend, family member, or loved one. Cancer doesn't discriminate, and neither should our research.

Women's Health Victoria worked closely with Transgender Victoria (TGV) on the Gender Equity in Cancer Care report. One clear finding from the research was that feeling safe in cancer care was closely linked to confidence that a trans or gender-diverse person's identity would not expose them to judgement, dismissal, or compromised care. This highlights the importance of creating healthcare environments where everyone feels respected, affirmed, and safe.

If you are a clinician, we encourage you to read the report to deepen your understanding of gender-responsive care and help make Victoria's cancer care system a safer, more inclusive place for trans and gender-diverse people.

Head to www.whv.org.au/what-we-do/gender-equity-in-cancer-care to read the report.

18/09/2026

Today is International Equal Pay Day, and here's a reminder that although some progress has been made, women still face economic inequality.

Data from the Victorian Women’s Health Atlas shows that in 2021, 46.3% of Victorian women earned below the minimum weekly wage, compared with 33.7% of men. The gap has narrowed slightly since 2011, but women are still much more likely to have a lower income.

This inequality can begin as soon as women enter the workforce. Discrimination in hiring and pay, lower wages in women-dominated industries, unpaid caring and household work, inflexible workplaces, and time away from paid work can all affect women’s earnings and career opportunities.

Women are also more likely to work part time. Over a lifetime, lower pay and fewer paid working hours can limit women’s financial security, independence and choices, including in retirement.

The Atlas helps make these inequalities easy to see, so that communities, decision-makers and advocates can work towards change. We'll be mapping Census 2026 data as soon as it becomes available, helping track where progress is happening and where action is still needed. Watch this space!

www.victorianwomenshealthatlas.net.au

16/09/2026

Election ask: keep women’s health services funded for the future.

Clinics, hubs, outreach services and programs help people get the care they need.

With funding lapsing in 2027, there is uncertainty. Without ongoing investment, these services are at risk.

Learn more about our 2026 election priorities over on our website: www.whv.org.au/what-we-do/our-2026-victorian-election-priorities

15/09/2026

14/09/2026

What does gender-responsive cancer care look like when it centres people's lived experiences?

Our new report, Towards gender equity in cancer care: Findings and recommendations for the Victorian cancer care system, identifies six key areas where change is needed.

✓ Make cancer services safe and inclusive
✓ Recognise caregiving responsibilities
✓ Support identity, body image and wellbeing
✓ Improve fertility and menopause care
✓ Support care close to home for regional Victorians
✓ Build workforce capability in gender-responsive care

These insights come directly from the voices of women and trans and gender-diverse people affected by cancer and point to clear recommendations for a more equitable cancer care system.

Read the report to learn more: https://www.whv.org.au/what-we-do/gender-equity-in-cancer-care/