Women's health is not just a women's issue. When women are healthy, supported and connected, families, workplaces and entire communities are stronger. That is why continuing conversations about women's health and wellbeing is so important.
For too long, many women's health concerns have been overlooked, under-researched, or dismissed. Significant progress has been made since 2022, but there is still more work to do to ensure women can access the healthcare, support, and opportunities they need to thrive.
Women experience unique and evolving health needs throughout their lives, from puberty and reproductive health through to pregnancy, motherhood, perimenopause, menopause, and healthy ageing. Alongside these physical changes, women often balance caring responsibilities, careers, relationships, and community leadership roles, all of which can impact their mental health and wellbeing.
Throughout my career working with women experiencing disadvantage, family violence, and hardship, I have seen firsthand the importance of access to the right support at the right time.
As the founder of the Women's Spirit Project, I spent many years listening to women from all walks of life. While every woman's journey is different, there are common experiences that unite us: navigating life's transitions; balancing competing responsibilities; caring for others while trying to care for ourselves; and finding the confidence to prioritise our own health and wellbeing.
It was these experiences, and the conversations I continue to have with women across Dunkley, that inspired me to host the Dunkley Women's Health and Wellbeing Forum.
The Louisa Dunkley Women's Health and Wellbeing Forum was an uplifting and inspiring event, bringing together over 90 women of different backgrounds from across the Dunkley community. It brought together women from across our community, local organisations, health professionals, and community leaders to celebrate women's experiences, share practical strategies for wellbeing, and discuss the positive changes being made in women's health.
The afternoon began with a calming and restorative sound bath facilitated by Melissa King from MISS (Miscarriage Support for Australia). This created an opportunity for participants to pause, reflect, and focus on their own wellbeing before the day's discussions commenced.
A highlight of the event was my conversation with Jodie Haydon, who generously shared her own experiences as a professional woman, partner, and leader.
Jodie spoke candidly about maintaining her own identity and career while being married to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. She reflected on the importance of continuing to pursue her own leadership opportunities, staying true to her values, and preserving the routines and activities that are important to her, including volunteering, catching the train to work each day and remaining focused on her professional goals.
She also shared personal reflections on body image, ageing, and her experiences of perimenopause. Her honesty resonated deeply with the audience and reinforced an important message: women should feel empowered to define success, health, and wellbeing on their own terms.
Participants also heard from a panel of local women who shared their lived experiences and personal strategies for maintaining positive mental health. Their stories reflected the diversity of women's experiences and highlighted the many different paths to wellbeing, resilience, and personal growth.
A special thank you to Kit, the former CEO of WHISE, for her incredible work as MC for the forum and for generously giving her time to attend, and to the Women's Spirit Project and Juleiaah Boehm for the powerful and engaging activities they delivered throughout the afternoon.
The overwhelming message from the event was clear: women benefit when they have opportunities to connect, learn from one another, and have access to high-quality services and support.
There have been significant gains into delivery of services for women since 2022. We know information is power and more information on the health reforms need to be shared with women. This was evident in the conversations at the event. Several other themes also emerged throughout the discussions:
Women's health needs change significantly throughout life.
Hormonal health and menopause deserve greater awareness and understanding.
Prevention and early intervention lead to better long-term health outcomes.
Social connection is a powerful protective factor for mental health and wellbeing.
Women need accessible, affordable healthcare and support services.
Community connections help women navigate life's challenges and transitions.
Women need opportunities to prioritise their own health, not just the health of those they care for.
These conversations reinforced the fact that women's wellbeing is also about connection, support, confidence, opportunity and ensuring women have the tools they need to thrive at every stage of life.
While community conversations are important, they must be backed by action. The Albanese Labor Government has taken important steps to improve women's health outcomes and reduce barriers to care and equality.
These initiatives include:
Expanding Paid Parental Leave to reach 26 weeks by 1 July.
Expanding the network of endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics across the country to 33 clinics to help women get treatment sooner.
Guaranteeing at least three days of subsidised childcare each week, supported by $1 billion to build new and expanded childcare centres.
Making investment into First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing in Dunkley.
Making healthcare cheaper, with PBS medicines, including new contraceptives and menopause hormone therapies, costing a maximum of $25 a script.
Paying superannuation on Paid Parental Leave.
Investing over $4 billion in women and children's safety, providing $3.9 billion for legal assistance, and introducing 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave.
Increasing wages in historically underpaid feminised industries such as aged care and childcare.
I shared many of these advances at the forum because improving women's wellbeing requires action at every level, from the healthcare system and workplace to community organisations and local support networks.
The Dunkley Women's Health and Wellbeing Forum highlighted the strength and resilience that exists within our community. It also demonstrated the value of creating spaces where women can share their experiences, learn from one another, and build meaningful connections.
While the forum may be over, the conversation should not stop here.
There are many ways women can stay connected and continue prioritising their health and wellbeing. Local community groups, sporting clubs, volunteer organisations, health services and wellbeing programs all provide opportunities to build supportive networks and access information and assistance when needed.
I also encourage women to connect with organisations such as the Women's Spirit Project and WHISE, engage with local health and wellbeing programs, and continue having conversations with family, friends and healthcare professionals about the issues that matter to them.
By continuing these conversations and strengthening connections, we can help ensure women across Dunkley have the support they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
Thank you to everyone who attended, shared their experiences, and helped make the Dunkley Women's Health and Wellbeing Forum such a meaningful and inspiring event.
The forum brought together an incredible range of community leaders, organisations and advocates committed to supporting women across our region.
We were pleased to welcome representatives from:
Emily's List
Miscarriage Information Support Service
Brotherhood of St Laurence Thrive Hub Frankston
Peninsula Community Legal Centre Inc.
Headspace Frankston
Emerge women and children’s support services
BAM ARTS INC
Nairm Marr Djambana
First Peoples’ Health & Wellbeing
Together, we can continue building a community where women feel supported, empowered, connected and able to access the care and opportunities they deserve.
