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

WHWBSW are committed to ensuring all women in the Barwon South West region have access to safe and appropriate sexual and reproductive health services and information.

 

Women deserve to have a safe and pleasurable sex life, access to appropriate reproductive services and pregnancy choices including the legal access to abortion.

Women in the Barwon South West region face multiple barriers, lack of knowledge and access to services.

Barriers that women face include:

  • Availability access to services locally, including opening times and access in a timely manner.
  • Travel distance to services and lack of transport e.g. public transport or suitable arrangements.
  • Cost high costs of services and associated prescriptions(i.e. contraception). Although an issue worldwide, it is amplified for women who need to consider associated costs such as travel and time required to travel.
  • Privacy individuals feel their needs and choices may be observed and judged, particularly in small communities where people know each other.
  • Information lack of information and up to date information for both women and medical professionals. Particularly relevant to modern termination services/information and sex education.
  • Professional attitudes and skills providers may not offer full services for all clients based on their personal skills or attitudes.
  • Community and client attitudes stigma surrounding those who access services, particularly in communities where people know each other

 

 

 

 

 

Read our recently launched report, ‘Mapping access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Regional Victoria.’

View our Sexual & Reproductive Health Resources here

 

 

 

Sexual and Reproductive Health Network

In August 2024, WHWBSW hosted the inaugural Sexual and Reproductive Health network meeting in Warrnambool. The forum allowed key community members to provide insight into advancing SRH outcomes in the Barwon South West.

The purpose of the network is

  • To identify current actions, programs and strategies to advance SRH activity in the Barwon South West region
  • Develop a shared action plan to address the social determinants of sexual and reproductive health in the Barwon South West
  • Implement, monitor and evaluate progress against the shared action plan

Sexual and Reproductive Health Community of Practice

WHWBSW hosts a Community of Practice for organisations advancing sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing among women, girls and gender diverse people in the Barwon South West region.

The CoP aims to make improvements by addressing social determinants of health. These include:

  • Women’s control over their decision making in relation to their sexual and reproductive health
  • Access to timely, appropriate, culturally safe, geographically relevant SRH services
  • Freedom from violence and discrimination, including sexual violence

The purpose of the CoP is:

  • Connection – provide space and opportunity for professionals to see and hear challenges and successes of others working in SRH in regional setting
  • Collaboration – provide opportunity and pathways for participants to share resources and skills for mutual benefit
  • Shared learning and capacity building – topics to be determined by group
  • Knowledge generation – develop an understanding of what works for whom in which circumstances; this can be shared to contribute to the evidence base and ensure sustainability

For more information on the SRH Network or CoP, please contact info@womenshealthbsw.org.au.