Commissioners hear Illawarra’s call for systemic change to end violence against women and children at roundtable
The Illawarra’s frontline services have warned that domestic, family and sexual violence will not become “rare, brief and non-recurrent” without urgent fixes to childcare, housing and justice, at a regional roundtable attended by NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin and Commonwealth Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin. Hosted by the Illawarra Women’s Health […]
Endometriosis is being diagnosed faster as GPs change their approach
Australian women are finally being diagnosed with endometriosis faster, thanks to rising awareness and better GP practices, a groundbreaking new national study has found. The findings, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, show that the rate of diagnosis in general practice nearly doubled over the decade, and the median time from first recorded symptom […]
Illawarra Women’s Health Centre funding to support women at risk of homelessness
The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre has been awarded $200,000 by the Bendigo Bank Oak Flats and Gerringong to support women experiencing or at risk of homelessness, particularly due to domestic and family violence. The donation will support women through immediate financial assistance in time of need, providing dedicated casework outreach support and access to early intervention […]
Free contraception and abortion access could help prevent reproductive coercion, study finds
Women’s health advocates are calling for free access to contraception and abortion across Australia, following new national research showing these measures could help prevent a hidden but widespread form of gendered violence called reproductive coercion and abuse. The study, led by the University of Newcastle and based on data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on […]
Illawarra women urged to book free Heart Health Check as new study exposes gender gap in cardiac care
Women across the Illawarra are being urged to take up a free Heart Health Check after new Australian research revealed women are dying at higher rates than men following heart attacks. The landmark Medical Journal of Australia study analysed almost a decade of hospital data from New South Wales and found that, compared with men, […]
Five things you might not know about dementia and exercise
Five things you might not know about dementia and exercise Most people know exercise is good for your body, but fewer realise how powerful it can be for your brain. Here are five things you might not have known about the link between dementia and staying active – and how our programs at the Illawarra […]
How you can access free period products at the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre
The rising cost of living is pushing more women into period poverty, with many struggling to afford basic menstrual products, according to Share the Dignity. In response, the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre in Warilla offers free period products to any woman who needs them, with no questions asked. “At the Centre, women can access free […]
Illawarra Women’s Health Centre backs fight to protect UOW’s sexual assault service
Students and community groups are organising a rally to campaign against plans proposed by the University of Wollongong (UOW) to redesign the only on-campus support for survivors of sexual assault, harassment, bullying and violence. The Safe and Respectful Communities (SARC) service is currently under review, with students warning that its closure would silence survivors, leave […]
Report reveals how women’s health challenges shift across a lifetime
Australian women are living longer than ever, with life expectancy reaching 85.5 years. Yet a new national report shows that each stage of life brings its own health challenges – from anxiety and eating disorders in youth, to back pain and menopause in midlife, and finally dementia in older age. The comprehensive Health of Women […]
Weaver’s Program brings joy and awareness during Dementia Action Week
The smiles lit up the room as children from Warilla Education and Care Service and people living with dementia from the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre’s Weaver’s Program met on Tuesday, September 16. Simple moments like icing a biscuit or listening intently to a story can be taken for granted, but for those living with dementia […]