Have you heard of the gender pain gap? Due to years of unconscious bias, sexist stereotypes of women as “dramatic” or “weak” and a lack of research into women’s health, we now see a phenomenon where women’s pain is disproportionately…
Stay at home parenting and good perinatal mental health
If you seek parenting advice from social media you would be forgiven for thinking that motherhood brings unbridled joy. Generally speaking, baby cuteness abounds, SAHMs spend their days happily posting their baby’s baths, meals, loving looks and their sleep routines.…
Why migrant workers need ‘a fairer go’
The 5.2% increase to the minimum wage that was decided this month was very happy news. It means that Australia’s lowest paid workers will have an additional $40 per week in their pockets in exchange for their labour. While $40…
Access to abortion care: counting what counts
Senator Penny Wong is not the only thing we can be grateful to South Australia for. As the only Australian state that collects and publishes comprehensive abortion statistics, South Australia has helped the rest of the country understand the rates…
Looking beyond ‘culture’ to understand health inequity
Since the election, there has been a lot of talk about women in politics, especially women from migrant communities as a new wave of culturally diverse politicians enter Parliament. We are so excited to see this representation because it’s of…
Migrant women’s leadership and the triple-glazed glass ceiling
Valentina* has been carving out spaces for her Latin community to connect and create for over twenty years. Despite decades of experience, she felt that she was a leader in her own community but didn’t feel that she was respected…
Good healthcare communication is a matter of life and death
Everyone waiting to give birth hopes that it will be a joyful and positive experience. Sadly, migrant and refugee mothers in Australia are more likely to have a negative birthing experience, and face additional risks and challenges. A migrant women, Liz, recently…
The Problem with Harmony Day
While the rest of the world refers to 21st March as the International Day for the Elimination of Racism, here in Australia, it is known as Harmony Day. It is the date that kicks off Harmony Week, which is all…
It’s not too late: Climate change and gender equality
As rain continues to fall and flood waters continue to rise, bringing devastation to so many homes and families across the country, the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day feels particularly timely. “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”…
Why we need to listen to women to end FGM/C
If there’s one thing we’ve learned since we began the National Education Toolkit for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Awareness Project, it’s that talking about FGM/C in Australia is complex. It’s an issue that calls for an historical understanding, a shared language, and a more nuanced conversation than…