Victoria and South Australia are acting on women’s pain. What’s holding NSW back?
The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre is calling on NSW to improve access to pain relief for women undergoing IUD procedures, following Victoria’s statewide rollout of the green whistle and South Australia’s commitment to introduce the option through public health services. The fast-acting pain relief option, known clinically as Penthrox, is now available free of charge […]
New community space supports growing demand for women’s services in Northern Illawarra
The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre has officially launched its new training and activity room as part of its expansion to provide more services to the Northern Illawarra. The room at the Centre’s Northern site at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus is a dedicated space to support education, well-being programs and community connection for women […]
Digging through the archives: 40 years of the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre
As the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre celebrates its 40th year, we dug into the archives to uncover an extraordinary collection of photographs of the Centre over the years. The images capture the spirit of the women who helped build the Centre from the ground up and turned it into the fierce organisation it is today. […]
Call for urgent DFV funding as Illawarra services warn of gaps in the North
The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre is warning that gaps in access to women’s services are leaving women in the Illawarra without the support they need. The Centre is urging the NSW Government to use the upcoming budget to fund a permanent Northern Illawarra women’s health service to ensure women can access specialist and holistic support […]
Illawarra Women’s Health Centre introduces Mirena Coil insertion
Women in the Illawarra can now access insertion of the Mirena coil at the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre, expanding women’s access to long-acting contraception. The Centre’s General Manager, Jess Davidson, said the new service provides an affordable option for women who want to take control of their reproductive health. The Mirena is a small, T-shaped […]
New pharmacy prescribing powers to improve contraception access
The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre has welcomed a new NSW Government plan to allow trained pharmacists to prescribe the oral contraceptive pill directly to women over 18. The Centre’s General Manager, Jess Davidson, said the reform would help remove key barriers to care. “This is a practical step toward making contraception more accessible for women […]
Illawarra Women’s Health Centre joins call for urgent housing reform as crisis hits women hardest
The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre has joined growing calls for urgent housing reform, warning the region’s affordability crisis is deepening gender inequality and putting women’s safety at risk. Across the Illawarra, rising rents and limited housing supply are forcing more women into housing stress, with many spending well over 30 per cent of their income […]
Five ways the Status of Women Report Card shows Northern Illawarra needs a women’s health centre
A new national report on the status of women in Australia is reinforcing what frontline services in the Illawarra have been warning: women use health services more than men, face persistent violence and economic pressure, and rely heavily on community services to stay well. The latest Status of Women Report Card highlights the scale of […]
How Workplaces Can Support Employees Experiencing Domestic and Family Violence
Business leaders, managers and workplace decision-makers gathered online this week for a Lunch and Learn session hosted by the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre to explore how workplaces can better support employees experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence. Held during International Women’s Day Week, the free training session introduced Workplaces for Change, a program designed to […]
Five ways to check in with yourself during Emotional Health Week
Illawarra residents are being encouraged to check in on their emotional well-being during Emotional Health Week, with local support services highlighting the importance of early awareness and everyday self-care. Bek Bennett, a caseworker at the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre, said the week was a reminder to pause and reflect. “It’s important for people to stop […]