The Members Connect Series will provide a platform for women to engage in discussions concerning industry trends and pioneering programs, offering them unique insights and opportunities. The aim is to advance the careers of women and increase female participation in the sector.

Founder and Director of Franklin Women, Dr Melina Georgousakis says that members of Franklin Women bring diverse experiences and skills to the sector, so bringing them together through the Members Connect Series is a special opportunity. 

“By connecting these women outside of their day-to-day and linking them with innovative ecosystem partners, we are facilitating opportunities for them to thrive,” she said. 

Franklin Womn is a leading social enterprise championing women in the health and medical research fields.

The inaugural Members Connect event will be hosted by Organon, a the only global healthcare company of its size focused primarily on the health and wellbeing of women, at their Sydney office.

Managing Director of Organon ANZ, Nirelle Tolstoshev, says that the global healthcare company believes in this series’ ability to “drive real change” by investing in women in the sector. 

“Just 34 per cent of CEO and Head of Organisation roles in our biopharmaceutical sector are held by women – and whilst women tend to be well represented in middle management, they seem to be passed over for more senior opportunities,” says Tolstoshev. 

“At Organon, we believe that by investing in the bright pipeline of innovators and empowering these women through collaborations such as these, we can drive real change in this area.”

Following the Federal Government’s Senate Inquiry into Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and the recent announcement of an Australian-first inquiry into women’s pain in Victoria, the initiative’s goal to support women in the health and medical research sector is particularly critical. 

The Members Connect meetups are free to attend, and those who participate will be able to contribute to emerging women’s health priorities. Franklin Women and Organon say the events will “be instrumental in breaking down silos between different stakeholders and contributing to the improvement of health outcomes in communities”.

Interested members can register for Members Connect meetups here. 

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“I remember a patient once said to me that her fertility and having children was never important to her. She never really even thought she’d become a mother, but having the threat of that option taken away from her was actually quite distressing,” says A/Prof Michelle Peate, the Program Leader for the Psychosocial Health and Wellbeing Research (emPoWeR) Unit, University of Melbourne. 

Around 4000 women in Australia and 440 women in New Zealand are diagnosed with breast cancer each year who are under the age of 45. Some treatments for breast cancer, such as chemotherapy and hormone therapy, may induce premature menopause and can reduce a woman’s chance of having children in the future.

While treatments can affect each person differently, it’s important to discuss fertility options with a breast cancer or fertility specialist as soon as possible. 

Dr Peate says that once breast cancer treatment begins, there can be irreversible damage to fertility, so “it’s really important to have those discussions early and give people all the options so they can make an informed choice.”

“My perspective is a lot about giving everyone the information they need to make the right choice for themselves, which may be to preserve and freeze embryos or eggs, or it may be about making sure they all know that there’s a risk and know that there are options available to them,” she says.  

Whether or not you’ve had children, are single or in a relationship or haven’t thought much about family planning, Dr Peate recommends talking to your doctors about your fertility options. 

“And if the doctor is not able to provide that information, find another doctor who will,” she says. “Just make sure you have an informed decision.”

Values-driven options

One resource that might be useful for breast cancer patients is a ‘decision aid’, such as booklets or websites that contain information to help inform on fertility preservation options and the impact of cancer on fertility. 

An advocate for value-driven decisions, Dr Peate was one of the first people in the world to incorporate this aspect into a fertility decision aid.

“What’s the right thing to do really comes down to what’s important to the individual’s values,” she says. “So our decision aid always has at the end this thing called a ‘values clarification exercise’.”

Some examples of values-driven options that a fertility decision aid might give include whether it’s important for the patient that their children are biologically related to them. If so, then Dr Peate says looking into fertility preservation options may be right for that patient, to preserve that genetic link. Whereas, if adoption appeals to the patient, then it might be less important to consider those fertility preservation options. 

Through her research, Dr Peate says she and her team proved that decision aids with values-driven options “resulted in improved decision outcomes.”

“Women were more satisfied with their decision,” she says. “They did have less regret, as they were making choices consistent with their values.” 

POEMS Trial

Research into fertility options for breast cancer patients has been quickly evolving. One innovative, new treatment option for young women with breast cancer has emerged from the POEMS clinical trial, to better preserve fertility during chemotherapy. 

POEMS, which stands for Prevention of Early Menopause Study, was conducted in Australia and New Zealand by Breast Cancer Trials and globally by the SouthWest Oncology Group (USA).  

One of Australia’s most prominent research-orientated cancer surgeons, Professor Christobel Saunders says she’s excited about the POEMS trials results as it showed “it was safe to interrupt hormone therapy after about 18 months to try to become pregnant.”

“This is very important for women with ER positive breast cancer who may be looking at 10 years of treatment and very diminished fertility at the end of this,” says Professor Saunders. 

“This trial looked at how Zoladex may protect ovaries during chemo. Thanks to the trial and the women who participated, this is now standard of care and has allowed many women to maintain their ovarian function after chemo.”

Clinical trials such as POEMS can offer the best possible treatment and care to patients, says Professor Saunders, who encourages women with breast cancer to consider joining one to further their knowledge and help the next generation of patients. 

“We know those in trials–and even those managed in centres that run trials– have better outcomes,” she says.

Join Breast Cancer Trials’ next free and online Q&A, happening Tuesday 20 February from 5-6:30pm (AEDT). The session will be moderated by author and journalist Annabel Crabb on the topic of breast cancer and fertility. To register click here.

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“It just felt like being vulnerable was going to be able to help people, and I did not expect that once I would share my story (publicly), just how many people would resonate,” she said.

When it went public, the blog quickly amassed a dedicated following, which Sepel expertly grew even further, securing a book deal, creating JSHealth programs, a smartphone app, along with her most popular venture: JSHealth Vitamins. 

Sepel says her is a passion for nutrition and helping others has always guided her business decisions.

“Being authentic and vulnerable is always a good thing,” she says. “People just love and appreciate it. Don’t overthink it because you can’t really plan for the journey of businesses, as it just sort of happens how it’s meant to.” 

Sepel is the latest to feature in our How I Manage My Health series, examining how dynamic women from different career backgrounds manage their physical and mental health.

Read Jessica Sepel’s full “How I Manage My Health” profile below, and see other women profiled in this series here.

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What’s one key thing you’re working on right now that you’re really excited about?

As a customer-first company, the goal for us is to make JSHealth Vitamins the most trusted wellness brand in the world and to help as many people as we possibly can to thrive. That was the goal from day one, and how it remains, so I’m incredibly excited about our recent expansion into the Asia-Pacific region, with our first step being in Singapore through Watsons. This expansion marks a new chapter for us as we continue our mission to support our community on their wellness journeys, around the globe. 

Singapore is a place known for its dynamic lifestyle and health-conscious citizens, making it an ideal starting point. Partnering with Watsons, a leading health and beauty retailer there, allows us to reach more people and provide them with the tools they need to nourish their bodies and minds, both inside and out.

The excitement behind this expansion isn’t about business growth for me, but about bringing our message of balanced, sustainable wellness to more and more people.. It’s about sharing the power of wholesome nutrition and self-care routines, and helping individuals around the world to feel their best – that’s the JSHealth way.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to connect with and learn from diverse cultures. As we progress, I look forward to seeing how our JSHealth community in the Asia-Pacific region evolves and grows.

What does your morning routine typically look like? 

I always start the day on a positive note – it has such a powerful ripple effect on my whole day ahead.  Each morning I’ll wake up around 7.30am to have 7-8 hours sleep daily. I continue my technology ban from the evening (I switch off around 8pm each night) – no checking of social media, texts or emails –  until after I’ve been awake for at least 30-40 minutes and practised my wholesome morning routine.

I love to begin with a 30-minute workout from the JSHealth App, followed by a piccolo coffee, and a 10 minute meditation practice, and then I get ready for work. I usually eat breakfast once I get to the office. At the moment, I love fuelling my body with the JSHealth Power Protein Smoothie or my current obsession, a quick and easy-to-make bowl of oats – my Banana Bread Overnight Oats!

Do you have any top tips for staying focused on key tasks? 

Running a business can get overwhelming, so I’m a big  believer in the power of prioritising. Each day, I identify the top three tasks that align with my goals and commit to completing them. This keeps me focused and prevents me from becoming stressed out by a long to-do list.

I also practise mindfulness. Being present in each task, rather than thinking about the next thing on my list, increases my productivity and the quality of my work. It also reduces stress and enhances creativity, which is really important for me when I am working on developing new formulas – my primary focus at JSHealth. For this process I need the mental space to connect with what my community needs for their health, delve into the research of ingredients and work intuitively with all of this and my wellness knowledge in order to create products that stand out and deliver.

Also, taking regular breaks is essential. This may seem counterintuitive when you’re busy, but research shows that short breaks can significantly improve focus and productivity. I usually step away from my desk, do some stretches or practise a quick 10-minute meditation from the JSHealth App. 

Do you have a framework or key rules or procedures for organising your day? 

I never use the word ‘rules’ as to me it sounds too rigid, and I’ve learned that we need to maintain the ability to be flexible in all areas of our wellness, including a healthy work routine. However, daily structure is key for me to stay organised and productive, especially when the days get very busy! I start off the day on a strong note with my morning routine – that’s a non-negotiable. 

Due to my varied schedule, days do often look a little different, but I like to check in with my plan and prioritise or plan anything needed. During the day, I always make sure to schedule breaks and personal time. It’s essential for maintaining balance and avoiding burnout! 

Having a routine is important and flexibility is key. Some days will be unpredictable, and that’s okay. The goal is to have a framework that helps you manage your day effectively – but always be kind to yourself if things don’t go exactly as planned. 

Once the day wraps, I look forward to cooking a JSHealth dinner and spending time with my hubby Dean (our night walks are my favourite time of day) so that I can recharge and do it all again tomorrow! This is a really important part of my daily framework, outside of “work hours”.

Can you share a time when your work really tested or even harmed your health and wellbeing? 

Building a business can be incredibly tough and demanding. When you accept this fact, it actually gets easier to prioritise your own wellbeing as part of the process, rather than an afterthought.

It will be even more challenging when you build a brand based on care for your customers, as your natural inclination is to put their needs first. However, it’s essential to remember that you can serve others more effectively when you are at your best, both physically and mentally.

On the journey, there have definitely been times when certain aspects of my work have encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone. Team management is the ultimate test, especially with an ever-growing global team ! I am so committed to a healthy work culture, so constantly being aware of this and managing personalities has previously been a challenge for my husband and I in the past. As with all things in life, challenges are opportunities for growth. We’ve learned so much from these experiences and have taken proactive steps to create a really vibrant company culture – we are more like a family! Today, I’m proud to say that our work environment is the most positive and supportive it’s ever been.

How do you stay active?

20 minutes a day of movement is my foundation! I believe in listening to your body – it knows what it needs. You don’t have to push yourself through exhausting workouts. 

Find a form of movement that you genuinely enjoy and commit to it. I used to force myself through workouts, motivated by wanting to look a certain way. These days I only workout in ways that I love…to FEEL good – with a kind, compassionate and gentle approach. This is what we call ‘body kindness’- it’s the JSHealth way.

The JSHealth App offers quick and easy workouts that can fit into anyone’s schedule, no matter how busy. You can do them from the comfort of your home, or even your office – which is where you’ll often find me squeezing in a workout! 

Can you share a key thing you regularly do (or aspire to do more) that really supports your wellbeing?

Gratitude: it may sound cliche, but giving thanks has become an important part of my daily routine, especially after experiencing a mental health crisis over the past two years.

During that challenging time, my perspective on life changed drastically. I found myself longing for peace of mind and appreciating the simple things in life that I previously took for granted. Today, I make it a point to express gratitude for my health, my husband and my loved ones.

Practising gratitude doesn’t have to be elaborate. It can be as simple as taking a moment each day to acknowledge what you’re thankful for. For me, this short daily practice has had a profound impact. It serves as a reminder of the good in my life, helps to keep things in perspective, and nurtures a positive mindset.

How do you manage your health when working remotely or from home?

Working remotely or from home has its unique challenges, but it also provides opportunities to care for your wellbeing.

For me, it allows for more quality time with my loved ones, which is incredibly nurturing for the soul. I also make use of the flexibility to engage in workouts that I genuinely enjoy, whether that’s a yoga class, a swim in the ocean or simply taking a mindful walk.

Cooking at home is another advantage. I love preparing delicious, nutritious meals from the JSHealth App. The process of cooking and eating wholesome food can be deeply satisfying and beneficial for overall health.

Working from home also provides a break from social pressures and comparisons, which can often lead to stress. Embracing the slower pace of life and learning to say ‘no’ when necessary are vital parts of self-care and living the Healthy Life. 

Finally, effective stress management is key. For me, this involves daily practices like deep belly breathing or resting with my legs up against a wall. These simple techniques help me unwind, reset and maintain a calm and steady mind amidst the busy schedule!

Considering you’re so present in the health and wellness space, has there been a  particular piece of health advice you always find yourself coming back to?

The most important lesson I’ve learned and find myself coming back to, especially on a personal level, is the importance of prioritising my mental health so I can show up for my business and my community as my absolute best. Something that’s been integral to this is creating self-care rituals, such as switching off from social media every night by 8 pm, moving my body each day in ways that I love, and nourishing myself with wholesome foods. 

The other one is advice from my grandma that I’ve really learned to be true – “Keep boxing” as she says. I have this phrase all through my head during the harder days of building a business. You just have to keep boxing, and you will go far.

What do you want more women to know about their health?

In my journey as a nutritionist and through building the JSHealth community, I’ve had the privilege of hearing countless women share their health concerns. From digestion issues, skin problems, hair health, bloating, anxiety, mood imbalances to sleep disturbances – these are common issues that many women face.

Women must know they are not alone with any of their health concerns. I want women to know they have our support through JSHealth and JSHealth Vitamins.

JSHealth Vitamins came about purely as a way to help support my clients and community’s health and wellbeing. Our goal is that our solution-focused vitamins will give women the confidence and comfort they deserve for a broad range of health concerns. Some of our top women’s targeted supplements at JSHealth Vitamins include Hormone + PMS Support, Vaginal Probiotic+, Menopause+, Detox + Debloat, PM+ Sleep Formula, Skin + Digestion and Hair + Energy.

What I want more women to understand is the importance of letting go of fad dieting and embracing a balanced approach to eating. Being “healthy” doesn’t come from deprivation or restriction, but from balance and kindness towards ourselves. Practising body love daily and building a nourishing, positive relationship with food works for the long haul. The JSHealth way is a wellness philosophy so sustainable, enjoyable and result-driven that it will last a lifetime!

The post Balance and ‘body kindness’: JSHealth’s Jessica Sepel shares her tips for wellbeing and business appeared first on Women's Agenda.

This frightening information comes from a new peer-reviewed study published on Wednesday in the medical journal JAMA.  

The study estimates that the rapes resulting in the staggering number of pregnancies occurred between July 1, 2022 and January 2024, in states where abortion has been almost completely banned. 

Out of the nearly 65,000 pregnancies, its estimated more than 5,500 occurred in states with rape exceptions and nearly 59,000 are estimated for states without exceptions.

Researchers found that more than 26,000 rape-caused pregnancies likely took place in Texas alone. 

In the states with rape exceptions for abortions – Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, West Virginia and North Dakota – survivors are required to report crimes to police in order to access abortion services. Research from 2022 has shown only 21 per cent of victim-survivors do so. 

“Thousands of girls and women in states that banned abortion experienced rape-related pregnancy, but few (if any) obtained in-state abortions legally, suggesting that rape exceptions fail to provide reasonable access to abortion for survivors,” researchers concluded.

“Survivors of rape who become pregnant in states with abortion bans may seek a self-managed abortion or try to travel (often hundreds of miles) to a state where abortion is legal, leaving many without a practical alternative to carrying the pregnancy to term.”

The Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling ended the constitutional right to abortion across America that the landmark Roe v. Wade 1973 ruling guaranteed. 

“Highly stigmatized life events are hard to measure. And many survivors of sexual violence do not want to disclose that they went through this incredibly stigmatizing traumatic life event,” said Samuel Dickman, chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood of Montana, who led the latest study. 

“We will never know the true number of survivors of rape and sexual assault in the U.S.”

Data collection 

Researchers calculated the findings by combining data from multiple sources, including national data from a U.S Ceners for Disease Control and Prevention survey on intimate partner sexual violence from 2016 to 2017. 

The researchers also used a Bureau of Justice Statistics survey on criminal victimization to help determine the number of completed vaginal rapes among girls and women of reproductive age (defined as 15 to 45 years old). State-level rape estimates came from FBI crime reports as state-level data wasn’t available.

Considering that stigma and fear prevents many people from reporting rapes and sexual assaults, the authors noted that the numbers could be lower than reality.

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Menopause and perimenopause are another case in point. Time after time, I hear from women that they simply aren’t being heard, and their concerns just aren’t being taken seriously enough. And while menopause and perimenopause of course don’t impact every woman in the same way, for too many women, they can have a really big impact on their lives, work, relationships, and study.  

The 2023 National Women’s Health Survey found that of women aged 45-64 who had been bothered by menopause or menopausal symptoms in the past 5 years, 27 per cent of them had taken an extended break from work, study or exercise.

Those extended breaks have a huge economic and social impact. Menopause could currently be costing Australian women a collective $15.2 billion in foregone income and super for every year of early retirement, according to the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees.

This amounts to an economic loss of $112.2 billion over an average 7.4 years of missed earning opportunity. Menopause is creating yawning chasms in the economy, workplace inclusion, and the gender pay gap. And this is only the financial impact – we haven’t even touched on the physical, mental, social and wellbeing impacts for women.

We need a public conversation about menopause so that governments, employers and other institutions can advance the right policy responses that women need. Health, economic, and social policies that will benefit not just women, but our entire Australian community. 

That’s why I’ve been passionate in my efforts to co-sponsor the Senate’s inquiry into menopause and perimenopause. It’s time to bring the reality of women’s health into the spotlight in a way where women’s voices and experiences can no longer be ignored.

The Senate Community Affairs References Committee will spend the next 9 months delving into the issues related to menopause and perimenopause. It’s my hope that this inquiry will help shine a light on these issues, spark a louder public conversation, and lead to meaningful policy responses that will make a real difference – in women’s lives, and in their health outcomes.

More specifically, the Senate inquiry will consider:

• The economic consequences of menopause and perimenopause, including workforce participation, productivity, and retirement planning;
• Physical health impacts, including symptoms, associated medical conditions, and access to healthcare services;
• The mental and emotional wellbeing of individuals experiencing menopause and perimenopause, considering issues like mental health, self-esteem, and social support;
• The impacts on caregiving responsibilities, family dynamics, and relationships;
• Cultural and societal factors influencing perceptions and attitudes towards menopause and perimenopause, including within culturally and linguistically diverse communities and women’s business in First Nations communities;
• Levels of awareness amongst medical professionals and patients of symptoms and treatments, including affordability and availability;
• The level of awareness amongst employers and workers of the symptoms, and the awareness, availability, and usage of workplace supports;
• Existing Commonwealth, state and territory government policies, programs, and healthcare initiatives addressing menopause and perimenopause; and,
• How other jurisdictions support individuals experiencing menopause and perimenopause from a health and workplace policy perspective.

It’s well past time to change the narrative. To end the stigma and discrimination that can keep this issue in the dark. It’s time to validate the experiences of women in speaking up about our unique health needs.

The only way we can understand the reality of menopause and perimenopause in Australia, is to hear about the many different experiences of Australian women.

This inquiry will hear from doctors, academics, researchers, and advocates. But we need to hear hundreds of stories about the hundreds of ways menopause and perimenopause have impacted women’s lives, health, careers, wellbeing, families.

If we don’t talk about things, we can’t expect them to change. Raise your voices, ladies.

It’s time to spark the conversations that will spark change.

It’s time for women to be heard in a way that matters.

It’s time for women to share their stories. I encourage you to share yours.

Submissions to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee inquiry, Issues related to menopause and perimenopause, are sought by 16 February 2024.

Individuals and organisations are encouraged to share their opinions and proposals in writing by addressing responses to the inquiry’s terms of reference. Submissions can be uploaded at: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Menopause

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The Long Story Short project collects real stories from women in rural and regional areas to be shared by actors in a series of videos. It’s an initiative put on by Women’s Health Goulburn North East (WHGNE) as well as Women’s Health Lodden Mallee (WHLM) in rural and regional Victoria.

Formerly called “Storylines”, the multi-year project aiming to reshape the narratives of women’s sexual and reproductive health.   

“Some years ago, I started experiencing some worrying symptoms,” says one of the women in the project’s videos.

“Even though my first thought had been menopause, I dismissed it almost immediately. I was only 39 at the time and my admittedly limited understanding was that menopause didn’t hit until your late 40s or into your 50s.” 

The woman in the video goes on to explain that her doctor diagnosed her with perimenopause– something she’d never heard of before but felt grateful to have learned about through a supportive doctor.

“I wish the story ended there,” she says next.  “I’d been at my job for over three years and thought I had a really good relationship with my employers. But they were not sympathetic at all when I requested lighter duties or time off.”

“I feel like a better understanding of women’s health is needed, especially around taboo subjects like perimenopause and menopause.”

The woman’s story is only one among the many videos included in the Long Story Short Project and the group has a submission form on its website where more women and gender diverse people can share their experiences and perspectives. 

The organisations (WHGNE and WHLM) will then use the data provided to “better understand women’s experiences and more effectively advocate for sexual and reproductive health services and information that is rights-based and provided to women in a way that is nonjudgmental, easily understood, culturally sensitive, free from discrimination, affordable, geographically accessible, and sex positive.”

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Despite this increased risk, new research published in the Royal Australian College of Physicians (RACP)’s Internal Medicine Journal has found that nearly half (48.2 per cent) of these women aren’t being adequately screened for the conditions in the years following childbirth.

“It is important to understand that early detection and proper management can help ensure that severe and long-term risks associated with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are mitigated,” said one of the study’s lead researchers, Simone Marschner, a Senior Research Fellow at the Westmead Applied Research Centre.

“A failure to identify the presence of these risk factors early and implement the proper management strategies can lead to women experiencing serious heart problems and other complications of diabetes, which could have been prevented.”

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, around 19 per cent of all pregnant women experience gestational diabetes, which significantly increases their risk of developing cardiovascular (heart) disease and diabetes after giving birth. 

Researchers from the University of Sydney examined the medical records of over 10,413 women diagnosed with gestational diabetes over a four-year period post-childbirth. 

They found that only 51.8 per cent were assessed for diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Along with this, 29.4 per cent were not assessed for diabetes, and 37.4 per cent were not assessed for high cholesterol. 

“These findings reveal that many women with a heightened risk of developing serious medical conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, are not receiving adequate screening and hence preventative management,” said Marschner.

“There must also be greater efforts taken at public health messaging by governments at all levels, to help ensure that the instances of potential underdiagnosis are reduced to the minimum possible level.”

Women already have a greater risk of heart attack than men due to established risk factors, such as diabetes, smoking and high blood pressure. Conditions such as gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, preterm delivery, premature menopause, and polycystic ovary syndrome, can increase CVD risk as well.

Over 1 million women in Australia are living with cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet it remains underdiagnosed, under-treated, and under-researched in women. 

“It is imperative that physicians across the country, especially ones tending to post-partum women, recognise the vital importance of adequate screening,” said Marschner.

“We must all do our part in ensuring that women across Australia receive the medical care and attention they deserve.”

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The gap equates to 75 million years of life lost due to poor health or early death per year.

Closing it could boost global GDP by at least $1 trillion a year by 2040 and lead to a 1.7 per cent increase in per capita GDP, a new report from the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the McKinsey Health Institute (MHI) has revealed.

Improving women’s health can ensure that women have greater workforce participation, fewer lost hours, and higher productivity, the report found. Closing the gap will also boost future generations’ health and improve healthy aging.

Beyond establishing that better health correlates with economic prosperity, closing the gender health gap will also ensure more women live healthier, higher-quality lives. After all, while improving women’s health leads to positive economic outcomes, the main focus of this issue is health equity and inclusivity. 

The report analysed the health conditions that disproportionately affect women, examining 183 of the most widely used interventions across 64 health conditions. These health conditions, including asthma and cardiovascular disease, amount to roughly 90 percent of the health burden for women. 

Analysts then looked at more than 650 academic papers to examine the extent of the phenomenon where women and men experience differences in the effectiveness of a medicine designed for both sexes. 

Only half of interventions studies reported sex-disaggregated data, and of these studies, 64 percent of the interventions put women at a disadvantage due to lower efficacy, more limited access, or both. 

Meanwhile, just 10 per cent of interventions put men at a disadvantage due to lower efficacy, more limited access, or both. The report revealed that on average, women spend 25 per cent more of their life in poor health than men. 

Shyam Bishen, Head of the Centre for Health and Healthcare at the World Economic Forum, said that the report “demonstrates that addressing the women’s health gap and investing in women’s health must be a priority for every country.” 

“Beyond improving women’s quality of life, ensuring women have access to innovations in healthcare is one of the best investments that countries can make for their societies and their economies,” Bishen said. 

The report concluded that closing the health gap could generate the equivalent impact of 137 million women accessing full-time positions by 2040. 

Addressing the causes for the gap, which include lower effectiveness of treatments for women, worse care delivery, and lack of data, can ensure that more women are lifted out of poverty, allowing them to provide for themselves and their families.

Investing in women’s health can also minimise the time women spend in poor health by almost two-thirds, improving the health outcomes of more than 3.9 billion people worldwide. 

Anita Zaidi, President, Gender Equality Division at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, believes that industry leaders must step up to create new financing models and innovative business policies that will generate greater access to gender-specific care. 

“The disparities that women face in accessing and receiving quality healthcare are not only inequitable – they are unjust,” Zaidi said.

“Investing in women’s health doesn’t just yield better outcomes for women, but it is also a direct investment in families, communities, societies and economies.” 

“Closing the gender health gap must be an urgent priority for every country: our collective future depends on it.”

This week, in their efforts to improve the lives of billions of people around the world, the World Economic Forum launched the Global Alliance for Women’s Health. The multi-sector global platform will focus on finding evidence that investing in women’s health will boost the global economy while working to promote the health of women and closing the health gap. 

Several groups have joined the alliance, pledging their commitment to spearhead the alliance’s priorities of financing, science and innovation and agenda-setting. 

Western Australian economic development group Tower Capital Group have pledged to commit over $25 million this year to build equitable support for the highest unmet need categories in generational and women’s health. 

Last year, Rotary International launched the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge, committed $30 million towards disease prevention, treatment, maternal and child health in countries including Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zambia.

The Global Alliance for Women’s Health alliance will be led by a group of world leaders representing the diversity of stakeholders involved in advancing women’s health. 

Anita Zaidi will serve as board chair of the Global Alliance for Women’s Health. Other distinguished leaders joining her on the board include Catherine Russel, Executive Director, UNICEF; Elisabeth Staudinger, Member of the Board, Siemens Healthineers and Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Minister of Economy and Finance of Morocco. 

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Urquhart said she set out to claim the record in some of the harshest and coldest conditions on earth to not only push the limits of her own body but also to inspire other women and girls. 

“By pushing my own physical boundaries in this world-record attempt I want to show young girls and women what’s possible when you harness the power of the body and mind,” said Urquhart. 

In order to prepare for the polar marathon, Urquhart trained for nine months, with her training involved running on a treadmill in a refrigerated shipping container that mimicked the conditions she would face. The container– basically a freezer– could be set to a temperature as low as -40C.

However Urquhart said nothing compared to actually being in the Antarctica and experiencing the extreme conditions first-hand. 

She set out on her adventure on December 15, running up to 60km each day to complete a total of 1312.26km in 26 days. Her momentous run was completed on a 10km loop at Union Glacier Camp in Antarctica, the coldest, windiest and driest desert on earth.

“The wind was howling and really strong, to the point where you don’t have the brain power- you almost just shrivel up”, she told SBS, noting that the physical pain left within the first week as her body adapted to the conditions. 

The feat surpassed Pat Farmer’s previous record of a 1200m in the arctic as part of his Pole-to-Pole expedition. While Urquhart’s record still needs to be officially signed off from Guinness World Records, it looks to have beaten the standing record. 

“It’s a bit surreal to be honest,” Urquhart told AAP on Friday after completing the ultramarathon.

“I feel like I need to pinch myself and then I’ll wake up tomorrow and need to run it again.”

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Urquhart and her team, Run Antarctica, will be returning to Melbourne on Tuesday, having raised around $75,000 already to support young girls and women in sport. Her goal is to “raise $1.5 million for charities supporting young girls and women in sport by delivering education training programs that strengthen and empower the body and mind”. 

Ahead of her attempt, Urquhart told Sunrise that her dedication to the cause would see help motivate her through the challenges of the record-breaking run. 

“We’re aiming to educate and empower girls in sport because 50 per cent of girls drop out of sport during their teenage years,” she said. 

“They find it can be stressful and one of the key reasons is a lack of confidence in their skills and abilities, so we’re looking to raise awareness and funds to support them through our charity partners.”

The push to get more women involved in ultra-running

Around the world, there’s been a push to get more women involved in extreme endurance sports, such as ultra-running. 

This comes as the Covid pandemic resulted in a 10 per cent drop in female participation across running events of all distances, according to 2023 data from Runner’s World. 

One recent campaign in the UK, the Ultra 50:50 from ultramarathon organisers Threshold Sports, is aiming to achieve 50 per cent female participation in its events in 2024. 

Through its own data collection, Threshold Sports has found that female participation in 5k races in the UK has fallen from 66 per cent in 2019 to 52 per cent in 2023.  The disparity is especially prevalent in ultras, where women make up fewer than a third of participants. Female participation in UK ultras dropped from a depressingly low 32 per cent in 2022 to just 30 per cent in 2023. 

To identify the challenges women face when preparing for and taking part in ultramarathons, Threshold Sports and their partners surveyed over 500 female ultrarunners. The results pointed to five key factors including female representation and perceptions, training and preparation, access and support at events, safety and harassment, as well as menstrual health and menopause. 

The number one barrier to female participation was cited as “safety” by one in three female ultra runners, due to harassment concerns and fear of running alone at night or in remote areas.

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The campaign isn’t simply pushing for women to get involved in its own running events, but is hoping to inspire women to toe the start line in all types of races. 

To do this, Threshold Sports has adopted the SheRACES guidelines– a set of guidelines that race directors can follow to ensure races are supportive of female participants. The guidelines range from things like ensuring there are adequate female toilet facilities to  providing sanitary products to having equal prize money in competitions. 

The group is hoping that by showcasing their own changes, it will provide a blueprint for other event organisers to share in their mission of supporting women and achieving gender parity. 

In the build-up to Threshold Sports’ 2024 events season, they’ve also recruited a team of female ultra-runners, or “Challengers” to inspire other women to take up the sport. 

One of the Challengers, Romey said: “Becoming a mum is incredible, but it is all-consuming. Signing up to an event I would have completed before parenthood helps me feel like myself again. Plus, I hope to make my daughter proud of her mum one day.”

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Researchers at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and Ambulance Victoria said these findings might be due to bystanders feeling uncomfortable about undressing and exposing the breasts of women who are suffering from a cardiac arrest and require defibrillation.

Dr Liz Paratz from the Baker Institute said defibrillation can save a person’s life, and these statistics suggest men could have higher survival rates of cardiac arrest, due to the higher likelihood of receiving defibrillation.

“It shows that strategies to promote bystander defibrillation in women experiencing a cardiac arrest in the community with a shockable rhythm should be a priority,” Dr Paratz said.

“Multiple studies across Japan, the Netherlands and the United States have reported that female out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients are less likely to have automatic external defibrillator (AED) pads applied to even ascertain cardiac rhythm in the first instance.

“We know there may be some reasons why bystanders may not perform defibrillation on women but it is critical that we address these issues as they could mean the difference between life and death.”

When someone is in #cardiacarrest, take Liz's advice & "get in there". Know how to use a #defibrillator & don't be afraid to use it on men & women.@AmbulanceVic @StVincentsMelb @AAMRI_Aus @Alfred_Research @AlfredHealth @thecsanz @OzCvA @MaryAnneThomas https://t.co/t2D2SYqwHI

— Baker Institute (@BakerResearchAu) January 11, 2024

Dr Paratz said to curtail these statistics, first aid training causes should be more inclusive. She suggested more women volunteers at CPR training, as well as mannequins with visible female anatomy, will help make first aid respondents more proactive and comfortable in treating women who suffer from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

As the lead researcher and cardiologist at the Baker Institute, Dr Paratz said defibrillation gives people the “best shot at surviving” a cardiac arrest, and first aid respondents should be confident in providing this treatment no matter what body the sufferer has.

“When it comes to defibrillation, people should keep in mind that in many cases, it is simply a matter of turning on the power and the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) will coach you through the rest of the steps with visual and/or audio prompts,” Dr Paratz said.

“If a person’s heart is beating normally, they don’t need a shock. The AED will check this. It won’t give the person an electric shock unless it’s necessary. So, you can’t harm someone by using an AED. 

“And if someone’s heart has stopped, please don’t be put off by embarrassment from getting defibrillator pads on their chest – it’s their best shot at surviving.”

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests kill almost four million people globally every year, according to the Baker Institute. In Victoria, around 20 people suffer a cardiac arrest every day, and only one in ten survive.

Dr Ziad Nehme, an Ambulance Victoria Paramedic and the Director of Research and Evaluation, said bystander defibrillation is potentially a life-saving step in treating someone who is suffering from a cardiac arrest.

“The initiatives that we’ve used to enhance rates of community CPR over the last two decades have clearly been effective, but we now need to intensify our focus on bystander defibrillation,” he said.

Dr Nehme suggested people download the GoodSAM app. It is an app where members of the community can send out an alert to people who are trained in CPR. 

“GoodSAM is a life-saving smartphone app that connects Victorians in cardiac arrest with members of the community who are willing to start CPR and apply an AED in the critical minutes before paramedics arrive,” he said.

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These women will be agenda setters, thanks to their leadership positions, their talent and their sheer tenacity. 

We’ve selected these women according to our news coverage over the past 12 months or so and following editorial meetings and research regarding what we can expect from 2024. 

They are, of course, just a sample of the women who will be establishing new agendas and new paths forward. And, just like in 2023, we know there will be women and new names that will emerge throughout the year. Also, just like in 2023 and every year before it, we are also well aware of all the women who lead and establish agendas in their own essential spheres of influence, leadership that doesn’t make the headlines but is just as important regardless. 

We have chosen the below categories to focus on, based on the key areas we cover on Women’s Agenda.

Politics

Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs

As a humanitarian crisis in Gaza threatens widespread war in the Middle East, all eyes will be on Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong, who will drive Australia’’s foreign policy response to the unfolding situation.

Jacinta Allen, Premier of Victoria

Jacinta Allen has not yet served six months as the Premier of Victoria, the second woman to lead in the state’s history. She will play a key role in meeting the goals and objectives set out in Victoria’s gender equality strategy and action plan 2023-2027.

Jodie Harrison MP, Minister for Women

The NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison was behind the establishment of the NSW Women’s Advisory Council, which met for the first time in December 2023. She, along with the twelve community leaders who sit on the council, will ultimately shape the political agenda for women in NSW.

Zoe Daniel MP, Independent Member for Goldstein

Zoe Daniel is one of the “teal independents” who sits on the crossbench in the House of Representatives. The Member for Goldstein, along with other independent MPs, has been very vocal on climate action, integrity in polics, women’s safety economic equality and health, as well as sexual violence on university campuses. She shows no signs of slowing down in 2024.

Sussan Ley, Deputy Leader of the Opposition

Sussan Ley is the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow Minister for Women. Although last year she came under fire for her views on strip clubs, she ended the parliamentary year by launching a domestic violence awareness drive. As domestic violence took the lives of 63 women in 2023, Ley will be vital in putting pressure on the government from the Opposition to turn these statistics around.

Tech

Luli Adeyemo, Executive Director of the TechDiversity Foundation

The tech industry is evolving ever so rapidly, and we need diversity in the sector now more than ever. As Executive Director of the TechDiversity Foundation and the winner of the 2023 Women’’s Agenda Emerging Leader in Tech award, Luli Adeyemo is on a mission to do just that.

Melanie Perkins, co-founder and CEO of Canva

Melanie Perkins is leading the charge in Australia’s tech industry, as the co-founder of Canva topped the list of the Australian Financial Review’s Young Rich List for the third year in a row.

Ashi Bhat, founder of the INSIDER app

Ashi Bhat describes herself as a serial entrepreneur. Over a year ago, the TEDx speaker and marketing leader founded INSIDER, an app that revolutionises brand loyality programs using blockchain technology.

Shirley Gwynn, CEO of TALK5

Shirley Gwynn was appointed as CEO of TALK5, Australia’s first AI-powered, voice enabled Work Health and Safety (WHS) software platform, at the end of last year. Heading into 2024, Gwynn will play a key role in breaking down cultural, literacy and language barriers to bridge the gap between safety protocols and frontline workers.

Prof. Svetha Venkatesh, co-director, A2I2, Alfred Deakin Professor at Deakin University

As the leading Australian computer scientist, Professor Svetha Venkatesh has already made headway in activity and event recognition in multimedia data. Her work, which has been recognised internationally, will be vital in Australia’s tech industry coming into 2024

Dr Ramona Vijeyarasa, chief investigator, Gender Legislative Index

Dr Ramona Vijeyarasa is the woman behind the Gender Legislative Index, the first comprehensive IT-based tool to improve legislation for women in Australia. Her passion and expertise in women’s rights and gender equality is much needed in Australia’’s tech scene.

Business

Michele Stanfield, founder of Cauldron

Climate change, overpopulation and other environmental issues has elicited food insecurity in many parts of the world. Michele Stansfield is set to change that with her biochemistry start-up Cauldron, a fermentation business creating nutritious and sustainable compounds for new and innovative plant-based foods.

Michelle Simmons, founder of Silicon Quantum Computing

Michelle Simmons, the 2018 Australian of the Year and Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales, is still at the forefront of Australia’s quantum computing discipline. Now, her new startup Silicon Quantum Computing has the potential to advance the field even further.

Vandana Chaudhry, founder of Andisor

Vandana Chaudry has been an executive at Deliveroo, Crocs and now has founded her very own business, Andisor. The e-commerce platform seamlessly connects retailers and wholesalers on an easy-to-use digital platform, revolutionising the sector.

Mundanara Bayles, founder of BlakCast

At the end of 2023, Australia’s first ever network of podcasts highlighting stories of First Nations Peoples and people of colour launched. The woman behind BlakCast, Mundanara Bayles, has certainly given opportunities for First Nations Peoples to reclaim their narratives and strengthen cultural identity, starting in 2024 and beyond.

Shemara Wikramanayake, CEO of Macquarie Group

The managing director and CEO of Macquarie Group Shemara Wikramanayake ranked number nine in Fortune’s 100 Most Powerful Women of 2023. This impressive accolade makes her one woman to watch in the business world – both in Australia and worldwide.

Vanessa Hudson, CEO of Qantas

Vanessa Hudson stepped up as CEO of Qantas last year in what was certainly the ultimate “glass cliff” situation. After a horror year for the aviation company, Hudson will determine how Qantas will bounce back.

Lacey Webb, founder of Resource Hub

Lacey Webb’s female-led small business Resource Hub has revolutionised waste management for businesses in Australia. As the winner of the 2023 Women’s Agenda Small Business Leader of the Year award, she is certainly one to watch, setting the agenda in the Waste and Resource Recovery sector.

Suzie Betts, founder of Boob Armour

Women’s sport had its biggest year yet in 2023 – and interest is only getting stronger. Suzie Betts’ revolutionary product Boob Armour will help sport for women become safer and even more accessible. Betts was the 2023 Women’s Agenda Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year.

Tara Croker, founder of Yaala Sparkling

Tara Croker is a proud Wiradjuri woman and the founder of Yaala Sparkling, non-alcoholic beverages that honour the true flavours her Ancestors have enjoyed for generations. In 2023, Croker, a finalist in the Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards, received investment from Shark Tank’s Dr Catriona Wallace, which will surely boost the success of what is already a successful business in 2024.

Health

Sam Mostyn, Chair of Beyond Blue

Accomplished business leader and advocate Sam Mostyn is set to play a pivotal role in the mental health space this year, as she settles into her new role as Chair of Beyond Blue. Mostyn has replaced former Prime Minister Julia Gillard in the role, and says she is focused on increasing digital and other accessible support for mental health and wellbeing. She is also the Chair of the government’s Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce.

Samantha Payne, founder of the Pink Elephants Support Network

As the founder of the Pink Elephants Support Network, Samantha Payne is a leader in the national conversation on miscarriage and early pregnancy loss. Named Agenda Setter of the Year at the 2023 Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards, Payne will continue to push for policy reform to improve the lives of women and families going through the devastation of pregnancy loss.

Professor Gita Mishra, NHMRC Leadership Fellow, University of Queensland

Professor Gita Mishra first came onto our radar last year when she was a senior author in a University of Queensland study that found women with endometriosis are likely to experience high rates of other health conditions. The longitudinal research was the first of its kind, and will help support the improvement of women’s quality of life. We expect Professor Mishra to be a central figure in endometriosis research this year.

Dr Danielle Wilhour, neurologist, UCHealth Neurosciences Center

As a board-certified neurologist who specialises in headache medicine, Dr Danielle Wilhour, has written about gender differences in migraines – more than three times as many women experience migraines – and the importance of bridging the gender gap in migraine research to empower women and advance our understanding of the condition.

Associate Professor Anna Boltong, CEO of Ovarian Cancer Australia

Associate Professor Anna Boltong was appointed CEO of Ovarian Cancer Australia towards the end of last year, and will continue to play an influential role in the health sector this year as she looks to develop the organisation’s strategic plan. Ovarian Cancer Australia is focused on bridging gaps to ensure everyone has equal access to timely and comprehensive support for ovarian cancer.

Sport

Ariarne Titmus, Australian Olympic swimmer

One of Australia’s hottest prospects at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Ariarne Titmus is one of the key athletes to keep an eye on this year. She excelled at the Swimming World Championships last year and is expected to do the same in Paris.

Kelsey Lee Barber, Australian Olympic athlete: javelin

Kelsey Lee Barber is the reigning world champion in javelin and will be one of the key Australian athletes to know at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Jade Melbourne, WNBL player for University of Canberra Capitals

WNBL and UCCapitals player Jade Melbourne has been named in the Australian Opals extended squad ahead of the Olympic Qualifying tournament in February, where the Opals will look to secure their spot for the Paris Olympics. At just 21 years old, she was the youngest player in the WNBA in the US last year.

Zarlie Goldsworthy, AFLW player for GWS Giants

GWS GIANTS’ Zarlie Golsworthy was named the Rising Star at the 2023 AFLW awards, and at just 19 years old, also made her maiden appearance on the All-Australian side for the AFLW. As we head into the next season, she is one to keep watching.

Cortnee Vine, Australian soccer player for Sydney F.C. and the Matildas

Matildas up-and-comer Cortnee Vine was one of the most exciting players to watch at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 – memorably scoring a winning penalty against France – and is a player to watch at the upcoming Olympics as the Matildas look to secure a medal.

Leadership

Katherine Berney, Director of the National Women’s Safety Alliance

Katherine Bearney is a central figure in the sexual, domestic and family violence sector, and uses her platform to drive change to create better outcomes for women across Australia. She was recognised last year as Women’s Agenda’s Emerging Leader in the NFP sector.

Prabha Nandagopal, founder of Elevating Consulting Partners

Human rights lawyer Prabha Nandagopal, the founder of Elevating Consulting Partners, has worked with employees across Australia who have faced sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment and racism. She recently spoke to Women’s Agenda about the importance of employers implementing positive duty properly and has a background as the Director of Legal for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces review in 2021.

Charmaine Hunzwi, President of Incubate Foundation

Charmaine Hunzwi is the President of Incubate Foundation, an organisation supporting young African Asutralians to reach their fullest potential; and Founder of Safe Space Media which creates content that challenges the narratives of under-represented communities. She was named an Agenda Setter finalist at the 2023 Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards, and is a changemaker to watch this year.

Angelique Wan, co-founder and CEO of Consent Labs

Co-founder and CEO of Consent Labs, Angelique Wan was named Agenda Setter of the Year at the 2023 Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards, and is continuing her work to help young people develop a better understanding of consent through education.

Arts/Culture

Shankari Chandran, author, Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens

In 2023, Shankari Chandran won the Miles Franklin Literary Award for her novel Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens. This year will see her fourth novel, Safe Haven, published, a story highlighting the plight of refugees seeking asylum in Australia. Her book no doubt will help change the narrative around asylum seekers in this country.

Bri Lee, author, The Work

The arts industry continues to battle with the struggles of funding, cost of living and more. Bri Lee, author of Who Gets to be Smart and award-winning Egshell Skull, explores these struggles plus so much more in her new book The Work, which will be published this year.

Gracie Otto, director, Ladies in Black

Ladies in Black is a television drama expected to hit screens this year. The female-led production team created the series to explore the lives of women in Australia in the late 1950s, where although much has changed, some challenges are still relatable even today. The show was directed by Gracie Otto.

Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese, writers, Lesbian Space Princess

Lesbian Space Princess is an animated television series, written by Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese. The show will champion greater representation for LGBTQIA+ identities, plus so much more, for 2024.

Cathy Randall, director, Red Rock Run

Cathy Randall is well-known for directing Hey Hey It’s Esther Blueberg (2008) starring Toni Collette. This year, she will be directing the feature film Red Rock Run, following the story of a young girl pursuing to run a gruelling 120km race.

The post Who will define 2024? These are our top picks for women to watch appeared first on Women's Agenda.

This “postcode lottery” can be particularly detrimental to Australians who live in regional or rural areas where there might not be adequate access to providers or services for reproductive healthcare.

“We want to make sure that regardless of your postcode, you can access the services wherever you need, and that there’s pathways to do that,” says Professor Deborah Bateson, an internationally renowned clinician and researcher in sexual and reproductive health, speaking to Women’s Agenda.

Professor Bateson is among many advocating for the government’s support in an ongoing Senate Inquiry into reproductive healthcare in Australia. 

“Contraception is really one of the most effective ways to empower women,” she says. “To empower women to be able to join the workforce to be able to earn money to complete their education– we really want to make sure that every woman has that choice, so that she can make that choice for herself.”

The Senate Inquiry report into ‘Universal access to reproductive healthcare’ was released in May of last year and placed a great emphasis on the role of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) such as intra-uterine devices (IUDs) or implants in improving the health, social and economic outcomes for women in Australia. 

LARC options are all more than 99 per cent effective and there is a rapid return to usual fertility as soon as LARC are removed. More benefits to these options- hormonal implants, hormonal IUDs and copper IUDs- include that they are long lasting and don’t require people to do anything else to prevent pregnancy.

A number of recommendations were made in the report to encourage greater take-up of LARC, including increased Medicare reimbursement, a new Medicare item number for contraceptive counselling, enhancing training for health care professionals and increasing the number of helath care professionals that are able to insert/remove LARC devices, improving school education programs and collecting more comprehensive data about unplanned pregnancies. 

In Australia, Professor Bateson says LARC uptake is falling behind other countries. The lastest national data suggests around 11 per cent of women using contraception would use a LARC method like an IUD or implant. She notes that cost is one of the key barriers for women in Australia, whereas in other countries, such as Sweden, LARC is free. 

Disjointed referral pathways, a lack of trained providers and a less than optimal experience of the LARC insertion for many women is also contributing to the low uptake rate in Australia. 

“Nurses are putting in IUDs in family planning clinics very effectively, very efficiently, with great skill and quality, but there’s no scope of practice for nurses– in the general practice setting it’s very limited,” says Dr Bateson. “There’s no remuneration pathway, so we’ve got a whole unused workforce, who could actually be very effectively filling these gaps, particularly in rural areas. 

To address these barriers, Professor Bateson points out that “we’ve got to really look at those policies around supporting nurses, we’ve just got to have greater exposure to training in LARC methods and methods of reception at university and colleges in postgraduate training.”

Adding to the importance of education around LARC and other contraceptive options, she says that all too often, misinformation is passed along to patients, such as “who’s suitable for an IUD”. 

“We know that sometimes it’s perceived that young women who haven’t had children aren’t suitable for an IUD and we know that that’s not the case,” she says. “So we need to overcome that misinformation.” 

Ultimately, Professor Bateson says that the issue around access to contraception boils down to the critical need to inform women and allow them to make their own choices. 

“We know that unintended pregnancies are around about 30 per cent,” she says, adding that she wants patients to “be able to have the choice of using a method of contraception that’s going to suit them because there’s lots of different choices of contraceptive methods and it’s not one size fits all”. 

Implementing the recommendations found in the Senate’s report is a critical first step to improving reproductive healthcare in Australia, and Dr Bateson, alongside other advocates, is urging the government to offer support as soon as possible– including before the next federal budget in May 2024.

She says there’s a buzz in the reproductive health and sexual wellbeing sector around the potential of these inquiry recommendations to create real, widespread, positive impacts for women in Australia. 

“We had our parliamentary, sort of roundtable, and there were many doctors, nurses, service managers, providers there, and there was a great excitement by the sector about these recommendations,” she says, adding that there’s “a real will to make this happen, to improve things for women”.

“Everyone’s very aware of the gaps and it’s just wonderful that everyone’s actually pulling together in the same direction. Everyone’s got a shared agenda.”

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