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Welcome to the Women's Centre for Health Matters!
You can use the headings on the left hand side of the page to find out what we do, learn about our current projects, read our reports and publications and have your say about issues affecting women’s health and wellbeing! Join us in promoting women's health and wellbeing in the ACT and region. Become a member today, it's free! Click here for more information.
Link to our subsites here
Latest WCHM News
Public forum: Exploring sexual violence and institutionalisation in the ACT
On Monday the 20th of February a forum at the National Library of Australia will explore the relationship between sexual violence and institutionalisation.
Join us to hear women speakers draw on both personal experiences and broader perspectives to approach the topic from the view of women living with mental health issues, women in prison, women with disability and women Forgotten Australians. We will also hear from local Greens leader Meredith Hunter MLA and a curator of the NLA Forgotten Australians Oral History Project.
For more information please see the event flyer or contact Laura Pound on 6290 2166 or l.pound@wchm.org.au.
Public Forum - Sexual violence and institutionalisation (572 KB)
Breast Implant Information Line
The Department of Health and Ageing and the Therapeutic Goods Association have established a Breast Implant Information Line (1800 217 257) on Saturday 7th Jan 2011. This has been in response to concerns over implants from France. Callers can speak to a registered nurse who provide advice based on a fact sheet prepared by the Australian Chief Medical Officer and the TGA. The TGA has also set up a health alert on their web page with information for the public.
Women who have had breast implants and are concerned are advised to ring the Breast Implant Information Line on 1800 217 257 or contact their surgeon directly for clinical advice.
Violence affects women's health and wellbeing: get involved in the Summer of Respect campaign
The ACT Women’s Services Network’s Summer of Respect anti-sexual violence campaign is well underway!
What is it?
Summer of Respect is a string of events and public awareness initiatives, starting with Reclaim the Night in October 2011 and finishing up on International Women’s Day in March 2012. The aim is to create a sustained conversation in the ACT community about sexual violence and its continued impact on the lives of so many community members, with a focus on respectful relationships and strong supportive communities.
Summer of Respect is being hosted because it’s wrong that sexual violence still happens in our community. It affects almost 1 in 5 Australian women. And it knows no geographical, socioeconomic, age, ability, cultural or religious boundaries.
What do we mean by ‘respect’?
Respect is about listening, understanding, communicating, being considerate, and valuing difference. Respectful relationships support individuals, strengthen communities, and help to keep women, children, and men safe from violence and abuse. In a world where everyone practices respectful relationships, there is no place for sexual violence.
What’s happening?
Throughout the Summer of Respect campaign there will be many opportunities for the public to engage with activities, issues, and conversations around sexual violence and respect.
Visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/summerofrespect to view the calendar of events, participate in conversations, and find out more about sexual violence and respect.
Let's have the conversation about respectful relationships.
Let's have the conversation about ending sexual violence
If you can’t access Facebook and would like a list of upcoming Summer of Respect events click here.
If you would like to know more about or get involved in the ACTWSN Summer of Respect please call Angela Carnovale or Annelise Roberts on 6290 2166 or email a.carnovale@wchm.org.au or a.roberts@wchm.org.au.
Launch of new WCHM Reports
WCHM launched two new reports—Peer support for women living with mental health issues in the ACT and Older Women and Social Connectedness - on October 12 at a Peer Support Showcase during Mental Health Week at the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Peer support for women living with mental health issues (1022 KB)
Older Women and Social Connectedness (850 KB)
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Recent Submissions
The Women’s Centre for Health Matters regularly prepares submissions in response to developments in women’s health and wellbeing. We welcome any views and opinions you think should be included in our submissions. Just email your input to us at admin@wchm.org.au.
Our recent submissions include:
WCHM Submission to 10 Year Roadmap for National Mental Health Reform, January 2012
WCHM Submission to 10 Year Roadmap for National Mental Health Reform (329 KB)
WCHM Submission to 10 Year Roadmap for National Mental Health Reform (2735 KB)
WCHM Submission to the Provison of Social Housing in the ACT, November 2011
WCHM Submission to the Provision of Social Housing in the ACT (741 KB)
WCHM Submission to the Provision of Social Housing in the ACT (2538 KB)
WCHM Submission to antisocial behaviour response and support in Housing ACT, November 2011
WCHM Submission to antisocial behaviour response and support in Housing ACT (275 KB)
WCHM Submission to antisocial behaviour response and support in Housing ACT (2645 KB)
WCHM Submission to AMHIU MOC, November 2011
WCHM Submission to AMHIU MOC (266 KB)
WCHM Submission to AMHIU MOC (2657 KB)
Submission to Transport for Canberra 2011-2031, November 2011
WCHM Submission to Transport for Canberra 2011-2031 (598 KB)
WCHM Submission to Transport for Canberra 2011-2031 (2524 KB)