The Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health (MCWH) has published our submission to the Senate Inquiry on Issues Related to Menopause and Perimenopause. As the national voice for migrant and refugee women’s health and wellbeing, MCWH takes an intersectional approach to discuss issues relating to menopause and perimenopause for migrant and refugee women.
This submission focuses on the need to address the role of social structures in contributing to menopause related inequalities that affect migrant and refugee women throughout their life course.
Australia continues to be a diverse nation; a significant proportion of the female population is born overseas (28.3%) and around 18% of women and girls born overseas arrived during or after 2016. Additionally, 48.5% of the female population in Australia stated that they had a parent who was born overseas.
MCWH makes 19 recommendations to strengthen the Federal Government’s commitment to respond to the intersecting health and wellbeing challenges faced by a growing population of migrant and refugee women, as they navigate the life stages of menopause and perimenopause.
These recommendations are focused on creating equitable healthcare systems, strengthening social services, and fostering supportive workplaces that empower migrant and refugee women and communities to navigate menopause and perimenopause with dignity.