Good Health Down South Regional Strategy
Good Health Down South Strategy 2025–2030
Good Health Down South 2025–2030 is the third regional strategy led by Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights across the Southern Metropolitan Region (SMR).
Building on more than a decade of collaboration, the strategy brings together health services, community organisations, local government, education providers, and advocates to create a region where everyone has access to safe, inclusive and equitable sexual and reproductive healthcare.
Our vision
A region where all people—regardless of sex, gender, culture, income, sexuality, or ability—have the knowledge, resources, and power to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and to exercise their rights in full.
Our approach
The strategy is grounded in feminist principles, the social determinants of health, and a commitment to equity and primary prevention. It recognises that improving sexual and reproductive health is not the responsibility of individuals alone, but of systems, institutions and structures that must change to promote justice, inclusion and fairness.
The 2025–2030 Strategy focuses on three key areas:
Integration and Prioritisation
Ensuring sexual and reproductive health is embedded across public health, gender equality and social policy frameworks.
- Advocate for policies that uphold sexual and reproductive health and rights.
- Build workforce capacity to integrate sexual and reproductive health into broader health priorities such as gender equality, mental wellbeing and prevention of gender-based violence.
- Strengthen cross-sector partnerships and secure sustained investment in community-based, culturally safe care.
Equitable Access
Promoting accessible, affordable and inclusive healthcare for all communities.
- Strengthen culturally safe, trauma-informed services.
- Reduce stigma and discrimination in care.
- Increase practitioner capacity to deliver inclusive, rights-based sexual and reproductive health services.
Health Literacy
Empowering communities with information and confidence to make informed choices about their bodies, relationships and healthcare.
- Disseminate evidence-based resources across diverse community settings.
- Build practitioner capacity to deliver respectful relationships and sexuality education.
- Promote community-led education and engagement initiatives that improve knowledge and service navigation.
Developed through collaboration
Good Health Down South 2025–2030 was developed through consultation with partners, practitioners and community members across the region. Contributors emphasised the importance of continuing to address priority issues such as:
- Access to contraception and abortion
- Menopause and women’s pain
- Reproductive health conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis
- Affirmative consent and sexuality education
- Inclusive care for LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disability, and those from multicultural backgrounds
A shared commitment
Good Health Down South is delivered in partnership through WHISE’s regional network, bringing together organisations that share a commitment to improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes. The strategy will be implemented through biennial action plans and a robust evaluation framework to measure impact and guide continuous improvement.
Together, we can create a future where everyone in our region enjoys optimal sexual and reproductive health outcomes, free from stigma, discrimination and inequality.
South East Women's Sexual Health Directory
WHISE has a directory of women’s health services in the South East, which should be used as a guide only. Most of the services listed here are free or bulk-billed but for detailed information about services, fees and contact information, please access the organisation’s website or call them directly. If you discover that information here is incorrect or missing please contact us.
Endorsements
- Cardinia Shire
- Central Bayside Community Health Services
- City of Greater Dandenong
- Connect Health & Community
- Department of Education and Training
- enliven
- Family Planning Victoria
- Frankston Mornington Peninsula Primary Care Partnership
- Glen Eira City Council
- Hepatitis Victoria
- Jean Hailes for Women's Health
- Kooweerup Regional Health Service
- Monash Health
- Mornington Peninsula Shire
- Peninsula Health
- South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault
- South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network
- Southern Melbourne Primary Care Partnership
- Star Health