12,000 WOMEN AND GIRLS MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD ON PAIN

Thousands of women and girls across the state have shared their personal experiences of pain and its management to help shape the way we deliver treatment, care and support for women in Victoria.

With one week to go until the survey and submissions close, we’re calling on women and girls across Macedon to make their voices heard, reflecting the diversity of experiences across the state. The survey is available in ten community languages including Arabic, Turkish, Vietnamese, Italian and Greek.

There’s been an overwhelmingly positive response to our survey from women and girls across Victoria, including family members, carers and supporters as well as clinicians and healthcare workers. We encourage all interested Victorian women and girls to share their story before submissions and the survey close on Wednesday, 31 July.

Women and girls have bravely told us about the daily impact pain conditions have on their lives. At a local Women’s Pain Forum in Gisborne, over 60 women shared their stories with local Member for Macedon and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas. Survey findings along with written submissions and feedback from more than 20 community forum and focus groups, will inform recommendations to the Victorian Women’s Health Advisory Council by the end of the year.

The Allan Labor Government has a track record of working to improve women's health outcomes – from establishing Victoria’s first clinic for women’s heart health and launching the state’s first ever sexual and reproductive health phone line.

As part of our $153 million transformation in women’s health, the Government is also delivering 20 new women’s health clinics, expanding our sexual and reproductive health hubs network, doubling the number of laparoscopies for endometriosis and associated conditions and providing scholarships for more than 100 women's specialists.

Submissions can be made at health.vic.gov.au/public-health/inquiry-into-womens-pain.

Quote attributable to Member for Macedon and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas

“For too long women’s pain has been overlooked, misdiagnosed and dismissed – we’re taking action by listening to Victorian women and transforming how women’s health is treated in Victoria.”

“We’ve heard from thousands of women who have told us about not being heard, being misdiagnosed and having their conditions downplayed. But we know there are so many more women and girls who’s stories we have not heard so I encourage you to fill out this
survey.”

“We’re transforming the women’s health system in Victoria – and we’re asking women to be part of the change.”

“This is an extraordinary response from women and girls across Victoria who have generously lent their voices and experiences to help shape a health system that truly
understands their pain.”