en id en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en es es en en en en
At Women’s Health & Wellbeing Barwon South West we focus on translating evidence into action, leading to positive change.
Gender equality is a precondition for preventing violence against women and improving women’s health, rights and choice.
Evidence shows that gender equitable communities – where all people feel safe, valued and able to reach their full potential – have greater rates of overall community and economic participation, improved wellbeing and prosperity. This demonstrates that a world that is better for women is better for everyone.
Achieving gender equality is not something that will occur quickly or easily, and, as a single organisation, Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West, can’t do it alone.
The development of effective partnerships between varied sectors is essential as many of the determinants of health are outside the realm of the health sector and addressing them requires collaboration and partnerships with these sectors.
When we bring our expertise, influence and resources together, we become a powerful force for progress.
Knowledge translation is defined as “The synthesis, exchange, and application of knowledge by relevant stakeholders to accelerate the benefits of global and local innovation in strengthening health systems and improving people’s health.”
Knowledge derived from research and experience may be of little value unless it is put into practice, known as the “know-do” gap. Therefore, there is a need to ensure that research into gender equity, the prevention of violence against women before it occurs, and women’s sexual and reproductive health rights and choice is effectively translated into local policy and practice.
As the gender equity and women’s empowerment content experts for Barwon South West, WHWBSW has a major role to play in enhancing Knowledge Translation and bridging the know–do gap for our partners across the Barwon South West.
How the evidence, policies, initiatives and campaigns for advancing gender equity and addressing the gendered drivers of violence translate into localised practice is still emerging. Therefore, WHWBSW has a lead role in monitoring and evaluating prevention efforts within the Barwon South West region.
This work has three purposes:
1. Helping our partners know if they are making progress towards gender equality;
2. Sharing local stories to help build the capacity of others; and
3. Ensuring that the stories of our partners efforts start contributing to the state and national evidence base.
Counting on change: A guide to prevention monitoring (Our Watch, 2017)
A guide for policy-makers, researchers, and advocates on measuring population-level progress towards the prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia.
Victoria’s Gender Equality Outcomes Framework
(State of Victoria – Department of Premier and Cabinet, 2019)
includes Victoria’s Gender Equality Baseline Report 2019 (the Baseline Report), which provides a set of measures against which progress towards gender equality outcomes in Victoria will be monitored over time.
How we lead: Advocacy.
State and national plans, policies, institutions and budgets are where governments begin to translate commitments to women into practical progress towards gender equality. Too often, however, they overlook measures to ensure that public services respond to women’s needs and priorities.
Our advocacy (leadership) efforts are focussed on:
— Ensuring regional women’s diverse voices are reflected in policy;
— Ensuring policy and research is gender equitable and addresses the needs and experiences of all women;
— Transparent and adequate public financing for gender equality, including the adoption of gender-responsive budgets; that channel adequate resources to both women and men;
— Advancing gender equity within Victoria to promote better health outcomes for women;
— Preventing violence against women before it occurs; and
— Ensuring women are informed and empowered to make autonomous decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.
WHWBSW also supports external campaigns that are aligned with our vision.
GEN VIC Submission to the Victorian Government State Budget 21/22 “Towards A Gender Equal Recovery”
WHWBSW contributed to the development of this submission released by our peak body, Gender Equity Victoria (GEN VIC), along with 41 other expert gender equality organisations.
Women's Health & Wellbeing Barwon South West submissions
(2015) WHWBSW Submission to the Royal Commission into Family Violence
Joint Women's Health Sector submissions
(2015) Victorian Rural Women’s Health Organisations Reproductive Coercion Submission to Marie Stopes Australia, (March 2018)
(2015) Victorian Rural Women’s Health Organisations Reproductive Coercion Submission to Marie Stopes Australia, (March 2018)
Joint Women's Health Sector tools
Victorian Rural Women’s Access to Family Planning Services – Survey Report (August 2012)
Research, data, guides and more.
Keep up to date.
Get in touch with the team.
We respectfully acknowledge the wisdom, living culture and unique role of the Traditional Custodians on whose lands we work.
© Women's Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West 2022
Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.