Acknowledgement Of Country

We respect First Nations peoples and their enduring connection to country – to the land, air, waterways, oceans, animals and plants – and recognise the wisdom and culture that has seen them thrive for thousands of years. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded, and, with humility and courage, wholeheartedly commit heads, hearts and hands to a path of healing, restitution and justice, embracing the wisdom of those who can guide us. We will fulfil our responsibility with honesty and integrity, we will challenge injustice, and - in all of this - we will hold ourselves accountable.

Sexual and reproductive health consultation

We asked, you answered.

From Both Sides of the Door: Sexual and Reproductive Health in Barwon South West

Women and gender diverse people in regional and rural areas often face complex barriers when accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH).

Community Consultation

To better understand these challenges, we consulted with the community and healthcare providers in the Barwon South West about their experiences accessing services or delivering care and education.

In 2025, over 400 women, gender diverse people, and healthcare providers completed our community consultation survey. You can view the survey outcomes in our  Survey Snapshot, which summarises early findings at the mid-point of the consultation.

Interviews and Focus Groups

The next phase involved interviews and focus groups to explore issues in more depth. In late 2025,

  • 24 individual interviews were conducted
  • three focus groups held exploring Menopause, Pregnancy and post-birth care and GP experiences

Participants included women and gender diverse people aged 18+, and health providers such as GPs, nurses, allied health professionals, and mental health clinicians. Efforts were made to include voices often under-represented, including rural residents, First Nations people, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, and young people, however we note some limitations in the diversity of perspectives captured.

Launch of the Report

Our findings have now been compiled into a report From both sides of the door: Community voices and service provider perspectives on sexual and reproductive healthcare in the Barwon South West.

The report can be downloaded here Full report: From both sides of the door.

The report summary can be downloaded here Summary report: From both sides of the door.

The report will be released on 26 February 2026, with an official webinar launch to follow on 17 March, 2026.

The report presents the barriers and enablers of care from both patient and practitioner perspectives, based on feedback from over 450 community members and healthcare providers.

It also includes key recommendations for:

  • Federal and State Government
  • Local health services
  • WHWBSW

These recommendations aim to improve access, quality, and equity in sexual and reproductive healthcare across the region.