Women's Health Policy for Victoria 2010-2014

Victorian women and Victorian women’s health services have a notable history of successfully advocating for, and acting to improve, women’s health outcomes.

In 2006 Victorian women’s health services developed a comprehensive document, Women’s Health Matters: From Policy to Practice – Setting an Agenda for Victorian Women’s Health 2006-2010 that included a 10 point plan.

This was endorsed by almost 30 women’s services and other organisations and was used to influence government and other political parties in the lead up to the November 2006 elections.

The 2006 document was influential in driving priority setting for women’s health within government, and in developing a common set of agreed priorities across the women’s health sector. It argued for a new approach integrating women’s health policy with other areas of government policy in a coordinated way, embedding gender in the ‘social determinants’ approach to health policy and practice.

Much of the argument and rationale behind the priority setting for the 2006 plan remains relevant for 2010 and beyond. There has been progress in many areas, and there remains significant scope for continuing improvement in women’s health outcomes – for instance ensuring that key women’s health programs and services are accessible and responsive to the diversity of women across Victoria.

The 10 point plan 2010-14 builds on the 2006 document and reiterates the call for a whole of government strategy and action plan for improving women’s health. The plan is cognisant of existing state policies and service systems as well as emerging state and national policies. It is imperative that these initiatives are developed in close collaboration with the women’s health sector, with a strong emphasis on measurable, transparent outcomes.

The 10-Point Plan is available here. (PDF 128KB)

These council candidates have demonstrate a commitment to women’s health by:
(a)      Moving and/or supporting motions to implement the ten action points outlined in the Safe, Well and Connected: Victorian Local Government Action Plan for Women’s Health 2008-2012.

(b)      Inviting Women’s Health Goulburn North East to provide a briefing to all councillors on women’s health and well-being issues and local government’s role in addressing these issues.

(c)      Attending at least one training session on women’s health and well being issues run by women’s health services.

Alpine Shire

Janis Catherine Vonarx ( Jan Vonarx)

Shire of Indigo

Peter Graham

Chris Dormer

Michael Nuck

Gregory N Lawrence

Shire of Mansfield

none

Mitchell Shire

Sue Marstaeller

Anna Dominguez Smith

Brian Mawhinney

Kelley Stewart

Moira Shire Council

Michael Crea

Jessie McCallum

Wendy Buck

Shire of Murrindindi

Rita Seethaler

City of Greater Shepparton

Marty Richardson

Ian James Christoe

Bruce R Wilson

Bruce W Little

Geoff Dobson (Broad agreement)

Steve Neff

Michael Polan

Shire of Strathbogie

Tess Noonan Egan

Shire of Towong

Steve Caldwell

Rural City of Wangaratta

Ron Aldridge

Rozi Parisotto

Lisa McInerney

Rural City of Wodonga

Dennis Black

Dean Freeman