A new report acknowledges the real pain that women across Geelong and the state experience and the gaps in accessing care.
The state government released the final Bridging the Gender Pain Gap report on 9 November, which found that 71 per cent of Victorian women felt dismissed by healthcare professionals when seeking assistance for pain.
Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West chief executive Jodie Hill said the report’s release was a “critical and long-awaited moment” for women across the state.
“When women’s pain is dismissed, the ripple effects are felt across families, workplaces and communities,” she said.
“Thousands of women have bravely shared their personal stories, and their courage demands that we listen, learn and act as we owe them nothing less than change.
“It’s more than simply responding well to women’s pain; it’s about taking concrete steps to provide the services women need so that their health and wellbeing are given the priority they need.
“We call for a coordinated and whole-of-system response that unites government, health services, education and research, along with putting women’s health at the centre of system design and decision-making.”
The report formed part of the Inquiry into Women’s Pain, with the state government planning to roll out green whistle pain relief and supporting adolescents and girls with a special clinic in the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).
Premier Jacinta Allan said the final report marked a turning point in women’s healthcare across the state and reaffirmed that chronic pain disproportionately impacted women.
“It’s time we stop hearing that our pain doesn’t exist, and these tangible steps will improve the lives of women and girls everywhere,” she said.
“The RCH clinic is going to be life-changing because when young girls face delays in diagnosis and treatment, it can affect them permanently.”
The report was shaped by the experiences of 13,000 women and girls aged between 12 and 79 and explored gender health gaps, feelings of being ignored or dismissed and experiences of medical bias, sexism and misogyny.
