NSW draft policy targets abortion access barriers in public hospitals
The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre has welcomed proposed changes to New South Wales Health policy that would prevent hospital managers and executives from blocking abortion services based on personal beliefs. As reported by ABC, the draft “termination of pregnancy policy directive” includes a section clarifying that conscientious objection applies only to individual health practitioners directly […]
Five gentle ways to set intentions for the New Year
The start of a new year can bring a sense of pressure to “start fresh” or to set unrealistic goals. At the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre, we know that healing and growth are not about perfection or drastic change, but about reflection, self-compassion, and realistic steps forward. The Ally, counsellor at our special project, Illawarra […]
Where to get support in the Illawarra over the Christmas break
The team at the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre will be taking a break from December 19 and reopening with fresh new year energy on Monday, January 5. While our services are closed, we know the Christmas season can be a difficult time for many people experiencing loneliness, homelessness, domestic, family and sexual violence, or mental […]
Breakthrough urine test could transform endometriosis diagnosis for Australian women
A potential breakthrough in endometriosis screening could dramatically shorten the often long diagnostic journey faced by hundreds of thousands of Australian women. As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, a new urine-based test, ArelisENDO, developed by Melbourne-based women’s health firm Arelis, is showing promise in early trials and may be available to patients as early […]
What workplaces must do now to protect employees experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence
The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre is calling on workplaces across the region and beyond to take concrete action to better protect, support and respond to employees experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence. During the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, the Centre is urging employers to partner with its specialist program, Workplace […]
Historic drop in cervical cancer highlights what’s possible – now ovarian cancer needs same commitment
For the first time since national records began more than 40 years ago, Australia recorded no cervical cancer diagnoses among women under 25 in 2021. The finding announced in the Cervical Cancer Elimination Progress Report points to Australia’s HPV vaccination program, introduced in schools in 2007, as a major driver of the achievement. The national […]
Housing surges ahead, but Shellharbour Hospital is still set to open without birthing suites
The launch of Portella, Frasers Property’s newest apartment release in Shell Cove, has underscored the pace and scale of Shellharbour’s population boom, intensifying pressure on the state government to include birthing suites in the new $780 million Shellharbour Hospital. The apartments are being marketed to young families, with 45 per cent of the 88 homes […]
Women less safe at work than a decade ago, new index warns
Women in Australia are now less safe at work than they were a decade ago, and continue to shoulder the overwhelming burden of unpaid care, according to a major new national report that has raised urgent concerns for women’s health, economic security and workplace equality. The Gender Equality @ Work Index, released by the Australian […]
Why women in Victoria are being offered the green whistle, and what NSW can learn from it
The green whistle, a type of fast-acting pain relief usually seen in ambulances and emergency rooms, will soon be offered to women in Victoria having an intrauterine device (IUD) procedure. The Victorian Government has announced that Penthrox will be made available during IUD insertions at 20 Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Hubs across the state. […]
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 […]