We are the voice for women’s health and wellbeing in the ACT. Our local research, evidence and data (informed by women for women) is used by decision makers to be more responsive to the needs of women and to improve the health and wellbeing of women in the ACT.
Our core work is evidence-based social research, policy development, advocacy and health promotion. We identify current and emerging health and wellbeing issues impacting all women in the ACT and surrounding region and develop evidence-based solutions to close the gaps.
Have a look at some of our projects below!
Abortion access
Women’s Health Matters is piloting a new program to increase access to early medication abortion in Canberra.
The ACT Reproductive Health Data Incentive Fund is a pilot practice incentive program providing payments to general practices and health services for quality improvement activities to improve patient outcomes and deliver best practice care relating to early medication abortion and the post-abortion provision of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC). To be eligible to participate in the program, general practitioners and health service providers must agree to provide abortion and LARC-related care at no cost to all patients living in the ACT.
The Fund is administered by Women’s Health Matters with funding from the ACT Government
You can find a full list of general practices and other services providing no cost abortion care for ACT residents here.
You can contact our Senior Health Promotion Officer, Romy Listo for more information at ReproductiveHealthFund@womenshealthmatters.org.au
Pregnancy options and abortion website
Women’s Health Matters is developing a website on pregnancy and abortion options for the ACT.
WHM is working with a Consumer Advisory Group of women and gender diverse people, health services and community organisations to develop website the content. The project is funded by the ACT Government.
It is expected to be launched by mid-2024. You can contact our Senior Health Promotion Officer, Romy Listo for more information at ReproductiveHealthFund@womenshealthmatters.org.au
Victim Survivor Voice project
With the support of the ACT Government, Women’s Health Matters is developing a way for adults with experience of sexual and gender-based violence to inform better policies and services in the ACT and region.
This project aims to provide a way for people to share the valuable insight and knowledge developed through their lived experience in a way that is respectful, supported and contributes to their healing.
If you are interested in learning more or becoming involved in this work, please contact our Violence Prevention Coordinator, Ursula De Ruyter, at u.deruyter@womenshealthmatters.org.au.
You can also read more about the project here.
Health in My Language
Health in My Language is a national health education program for migrant and refugee communities, to address barriers to vaccine literacy and uptake, and increase vaccine confidence, by delivering accurate, multilingual information from trusted professional Bilingual Health Educators across Australia.
The program is funded by the Commonwealth Government and Women’s Health Matters will deliver education sessions free of charge to migrant and refugee communities across the ACT.
Find out what languages our team can deliver sessions in and more about the project here.
Previous projects
You can check out some of our previous projects below!
