6 June 2024 Member for Narre Warren South Gary Maas MP recently hosted a Women’s Pain Forum, facilitated by Kit McMahon, CEO of Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE), to raise awareness for the Victorian Government’s Inquiry into Women’s Pain.
Held at the Old School House in Hampton Park, Mr Maas was joined by special guest the Hon Mary-Anne Thomas MP, Minister for Health, and the Executive Director of Women’s Health.
In attendance were other south-east MP’s including the Member for Narre Warren North and Member for Cranbourne.
Key stakeholder organisations from the community, representing a range of backgrounds, professions, and experiences also attended. These organisations play an important role in running support for this issue on the ground.
Ms McMahon and her team ran a workshop that facilitated a discussion about women’s pain and their experience with the healthcare system. WHISE will be making a submission to the Government’s Inquiry into Women’s Pain, representing the voices and experiences of women in the south-east.
Research was recently conducted by the Victorian Women’s Health Survey, which reiterated what many are all too familiar with – their pain is real and often overlooked.
The survey found that four in 10 Victorian Women suffer from a chronic health condition and one in three have health conditions that affect their ability to work and keep a job. The survey found that half the participants were suffering with pain connected to their period, which impacted their health and wellbeing.
The Inquiry into Women’s Pain will help form the basis of recommendations to improve services and treatment of women’s pain in Victoria.
To be a part of WHISE’s submission, register your expression of interest here. To put in a submission directly to the Inquiry you can do so here. Submissions to the Inquiry into Women’s Pain close 31 July 2024.
Quotes attributed to the Member for Narre Warren South Gary Maas:
“It was a privilege to host this Women’s Pain Forum in the South East, and play a part in bringing more attention to an issue that we should be talking more about."
“Thank you to the formidable Kit McMahon of Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) for facilitating this important discussion, and to all the representatives from community organisations who shared their stories and experiences.”
“The State Government is committed to listening and learning from these experiences to inform improved care for women and girls experiencing pain in the future.”