Health Promotion and Research Project Officer
Maria Hach BA, MIDEA

I began working as a Health Promotion and Research Project Officer for MCWH in August 2011. My main project is to research and develop a cultural competency training program for health professionals in the area of immigrant and refugee women's sexual and reproductive health. This program will then be delivered nationally as part of the Multicultural Women's Health Australia initiative.

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and International Studies, and a Master of International Development and Environmental Analysis from Monash University. Prior to commencing at MCWH I worked in Cambodia for the NGO Promoting Education Empowering Youth in a range of capacities. In Cambodia I met passionate and resilient women working tirelessly for social change, in spite of the many challenges they encountered on a daily basis. My time in Cambodia was a turning point for me both personally and professionally, and solidified my desire to work with multicultural communities back home in Melbourne.

I am thrilled to be involved with MWCH and I'm continually inspired by the wonderful and diverse women that my work enables me to engage with. I hope that my work here will contribute to positive changes in the area of immigrant and refugee women's health.