The Western Australian Women’s Health and Wellbeing Policy (PDF 2.4MB) (hereafter, the Policy) provides a strategic, coordinated, and gender-responsive approach by the WA health system and its partners to drive equitable, accessible and appropriate services that optimise the health, safety and wellbeing of women and girls in WA.
The Policy builds on the WA Women’s Health Strategy 2013-2017 (external site) and works in tandem with the Western Australian Men’s Health and Wellbeing Policy.
The Policy demonstrates the WA health system’s commitment towards achieving the shared vision and strategic priorities of the National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030 (external site) and aligns with the Department of Communities WA Women’s Plan and 10 Year Strategy for Reducing Family and Domestic Violence in WA.
The Policy is the result of extensive consultation and considered commentary from more than 700 individuals and organisations across the State through an online survey and targeted consultations. This builds on previous consultations undertaken by Women’s Community Health Network, WA. The information from these consultations have directly informed the Policy and provided details on how services can be most responsive to women’s health, safety and wellbeing needs.
The Policy identifies four priority areas for action to guide the health system, including chronic conditions and healthy ageing, health and wellbeing impacts of gender-based violence, maternal, reproductive and sexual health and mental health and wellbeing.
The Policy advocates for strong partnerships and interagency collaboration in order to continue to improve outcomes for all women.
On Monday 2 September 2019, the Minister for Health, the Hon. Roger Cook MLA, launched the Policy at the WA Women’s Health Conference.
Publications
WA Women’s Health Conference
The Women and Newborn Health Network in partnership with the Women’s Community Health Network, WA hosted the WA Women’s Health Conference on Monday 2 September 2019 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The Minister for Health, the Hon. Roger Cook MLA, launched the WA Women’s Health and Wellbeing Policy at the conference with 216 in attendance, including representatives from the WA health sector, community groups and non-government organisations, researchers, and consumers.
With the theme of ‘Lifting the profile on Women’s Health’, the WA Women’s Health Conference provided attendees with the opportunity to consider the latest research and evidence in the field, and inform an action plan to aid in the implementation of the WA Women’s Health and Wellbeing Policy.
The Department of Health provided 13 regional delegates travel sponsorship of up to $1,000 to attend the conference via an expression of interest process to encourage and support participation from regional, rural and remote community members and health services.
Last reviewed: 02-09-2019
Produced by
Health Networks