The Australian Government made an election commitment in 2007 to develop a new National Women’s Health Policy, in recognition of the fact that it has been 20 years since the last Australian women’s health policy was developed.
The revitalised women’s policy will recognise gender as a basic determinant of health, which gives rise to different health outcomes and different needs for women and men. In line with international developments and the Australian Government’s social inclusion agenda, the policy will emphasise prevention, health inequalities and social determinants.
In early 2009, the Department of Health and Ageing invited community-based organisations to provide formal submissions into the policy process. NAPWA has worked in direct consultation with the NAPWA Positive Women's Network in the development of its own paper, submitted to the Commonwealth on 1 July 2009.
In addition to this the Australian Government has committed to undertake further consultations with state and territory consumers, the community, health service providers, key women’s groups and governments, to ensure the new National Women’s Health Policy meets the varied needs of all Australian women. NAPWA looks forward to further work contributing to the development of the National Women Health Policy and congratulates the government on its engagement with this vital health policy reformation and the ensuing consultation process.
NAPWA would like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance that the Positive Women’s Network provided in the development of the NAPWA submission.
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