As of June 30, the Victorian government’s Sick Pay Guarantee scheme will be over, ending a program which financially supported over 75,000 casual and contract workers to access necessary leave in order to rest, recover and care for others. The Australian-first initiative…
Why data is more than just numbers
Data is more than just numbers; it has the power to define who is made visible and, more importantly, who remains unseen. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the Census “is the most comprehensive snapshot of the country and…
Women’s pain is not just a health issue
For far too long, women’s pain has not received the proper attention that it deserves, with research showing that there is a clear gender gap when it comes to treating women’s pain compared to men. That’s why the Victorian Government’s Inquiry into…
What does it mean to be a ‘priority population’?
As national and state discussions around women’s pain advance, it is essential to recognise that mental health issues can be the cause and/or a contributing factor to women’s experiences of pain. More specifically, women in Australia are reporting increased levels of…
Is gender equality really the measure of progress in sport?
While there have been many efforts to separate sport from politics, the truth is, sport exists within larger social and political contexts. Over the decades, we have witnessed many examples where politics and sport intersect, from athletes’ protest of systemic discrimination…
The Invisible Olympics
While the Olympic Games are often seen as the symbol of global unity and cooperation, there is a very serious human cost to elite sport and sporting events which is less visible and discussed. For instance, transforming into an ‘attractive’…
Taboo to who? Migrant and refugee women’s sexual health.
Migrant and refugee women face a range of inequities when it comes to sexual and reproductive health. With lower rates of contraceptive use, a greater risk of contracting STIs, and a greater risk of experiencing poorer maternal and child health outcomes, understanding…
Visa Limbo: A Human Rights and Health Crisis
*Please note, this article discusses sensitive topics, including distress, self-immolation, and violence against women. If you or anyone you know needs help, contact Lifeline (24-hour Crisis Line) on 13 11 14. To access an interpreter, contact the Translating and Interpreting…
Who has the right to a safe and healthy birth?
In Australia, an estimated 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss before 12 weeks and 76% of perinatal deaths in 2021 were due to stillbirth. October is recognised as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month and is a time to honour the…
Moving beyond barriers: Why there’s no one size fits all to cancer screening
Breast Cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Australia. However, Australia also has some of the best cancer survival rates in the world, largely due to extensive efforts to detect and treat cancer early. October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month which…