This snapshot report by Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) captures key insights from two community forums held in Mordialloc and Narre Warren South in April 2026. Bringing together women, gender-diverse people, and local health and community workers, the forums explored lived experiences of women’s pain and community responses to the Victorian Government’s Bridging the Gender Pain Gap report.
The snapshot highlights strong and consistent themes across both forums, including the widespread experience of women not being believed, the impacts of gender bias and systemic barriers in healthcare, and the importance of culturally safe, trauma-informed, and accessible services. It also underscores the vital role of community knowledge, peer support, and lived experience leadership in driving meaningful reform.
Overall, the report reflects a highly engaged community calling for urgent, equity-driven, gender-transformative action to improve women’s health and pain care systems.