How we improve sexual and reproductive health
WHISE is committed to addressing the social determinants that impact women’s sexual and reproductive health across the lifespan by developing initiatives based upon advocacy, capacity building, education and community development.
Sexual and Reproductive Health in our region
One of the ways WHISE works to improve sexual and reproductive health in the region is through our second Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy, Good Health Down South 2021-2025.
Good Health Down South is a four-year region-wide strategy that promotes, celebrates and guides future directions that continuously improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes throughout the Southern Metropolitan Region.
WHISE also conducted an evaluation of the first iteration of our regional sexual and reproductive health strategy, now available online for your perusal: Good Health Down South Evaluation Report 2018 - 2021.
Case Study: Establishing a Medical Abortion Clinic at Peninsula Health
WHISE is pleased to present a case study highlighting the process of implementing medical abortion service provision through Peninsula Health's Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub. The case study celebrates the implementation of this vital service, which will enhance women's health and wellbeing and has important implications for gender equality; as well as highlighting the associated processes, challenges and achievements to inform the practice of other organisations. The purpose of this case study was to highlight promising practice as well as capture and share the challenges and barriers, enablers, and success of establishing the medical abortion provision at Peninsula Health.
Medical abortion education information sessions
A series of medical abortion education webinars were recorded by Women's Health in the South East (WHISE) and the regional sexual and reproductive health partnership, Good Health Down South, specifically the Royal Women's Hospital Clinical Champions Project, Peninsula Health, Monash Health, and Safety Beach Medical and Wellness Practice.
The webinars outline the process of becoming a medical abortion provider for doctors, practice nurses, pharmacists and general practice managers, managing post-procedure presentations and connecting with tertiary hospitals and other providers for support. For more information about WHISE's work in sexual and reproductive health or medical abortion provision in the Southern Metropolitan Region, please contact Health Promotion Officer, Laura via lriccardi@whise.org.au
'Good Health Down South: A Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy' celebrates and guides future directions that continuously improve Sexual and Reproductive (SRH) outcomes throughout the Southern Metropolitan Region
What is Sexual and Reproductive Health?
Sexual and reproductive health is an essential aspect of good general health and human development, and as such, is critically important at an individual and societal level.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes sexual health as:
'A state of physical, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality. It requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.'
Sexual health incorporates reproductive health, which WHO defines as:
'people being able to have a responsible, satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so.'
As women live longer, healthier lives, they have the ability to remain sexually active well into their later years.
Sexual health has physiological, psychological, emotional and spiritual benefits, making it a vital part of healthy ageing, yet sexuality later in life receives little attention at the program, policy and direct provider level.