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Invisible pain and leading for change
Chronic migraine, and why equity must be more than rhetoric Go away, not today. I feel my balance is off; my head feels like it’s being pushed to the side, and something is hitting it. A dull but painful feeling. I see my fingers pressing down on the keys on the keyboard, it’s as if…
Reflections: Women Deliver 2026
By Malavika Kadwadkar, WHISE Community Outreach Lead Women Deliver 2026 brought together more than 6,200 delegates from 189 countries, creating a global space for feminist practitioners, grassroots leaders, researchers, advocates, funders, and policymakers to connect, reflect, and challenge existing systems. What resonated most was the shared reality that many communities worldwide are navigating shrinking resources,…
WHISE Releases Gender Analysis of the 2026–27 Victorian State Budget
Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) has released its Gender Analysis of the Victorian Government’s 2026–27 State Budget, examining how current investments respond to gender inequality, women’s health and wellbeing, and the broader structural conditions shaping women’s lives across Victoria. The release accompanies WHISE’s earlier public response to the Budget, “A platform to build…
Inside the Manosphere: What Young Men Are Really Hearing
By Danielle McCaffrey, Prevention of Violence Against Women Lead, WHISE The manosphere has been in the media following Louis Theroux’s documentary which follows a few of the more popular male influencers. We know how damaging these messages are not only for young men but especially for women and girls; however, if we want genuine change, we need to have compassion, whilst also demanding accountability. In an economic system…
Victoria’s expanded pharmacy contraceptive access marks real progress — WHISE calls for bold investment to ensure no one is left behind
Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) welcomes Victoria’s expanded access to oral contraceptives through pharmacies as a meaningful step forward for women’s reproductive autonomy and health equity. These reforms directly reduce the barriers that too many women and people assigned female at birth face in maintaining consistent, effective contraception. Access to contraception when and where people need it…
Kit McMahon GAICD Announced as National Recipient of the Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership
Republished from Women and Leadership Australia 24/02/2026 Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) today announces Kit McMahon Chief Executive Officer, Women’s Health in the South East; DIrector, Tradeswomen Australia, as the 2026 National Award recipient of the Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership. This prestigious award honours exceptional Australian women and gender-diverse people who encourage change and contribute to advancing equity across…
The Simon Gordon case reveals systemic failures in women’s healthcare
Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) is heartbroken by the allegations reported by ABC’s Four Corners about Melbourne gynaecologist Dr Simon Gordon. We stand, without reservation, with every woman who has been harmed, and with those who are only now beginning to understand what may have happened to them. We want to start by…
WHISE Submission to Skills Insight: Leading a Safer, Inclusive and Resilient Workforce
About the consultation Skills Insight is the Jobs and Skills Council for Australia’s agriculture, food, fibre and environment-care industries. In early 2026, Skills Insight released a consultation paper inviting submissions on how to build safer, more inclusive and resilient workforces across these sectors. WHISE welcomed the opportunity to respond, drawing on national and international evidence,…
WHISE Statement on the Bondi Beach Terrorist Attack
We are heartbroken. In response to the horrific events in Bondi last night WHISE sends a message out of solidarity calling on all to stand together with clarity and compassion. We recognise that this horrendous event will be reverberating in our community and across all communities for days, weeks and months to come. Here in…