Women’s health services vital in shaping region’s future

THE Victorian Women’s Health Services Network has released a report that underscores the crucial economic role of Women’s Health Services in Victoria, emphasising the urgent need for sustained government funding beyond 2023-24.

The report, titled “Return on Equity: Health and economic dividends from investing in Women’s Health Services”, compiled by Impact Economics and Policy, outlines enduring economic benefits, ranging from the reduction of healthcare expenses to the enhancement of workforce engagement.

Highlights of the report showcase the direct and indirect contributions of Women’s Health Services to Victoria, yielding significant economic and health benefits. These include reducing violence against women, leading to annual economic savings of $600 million and a lifetime saving of nearly $8 billion.

Lower rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections have further resulted in economic gains and healthcare cost savings.

The Women’s Health Services funding, which nearly doubled in 2022-23, is set to expire, putting at risk the progress achieved.

Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West acting regional manager Sarah Wood said the need was greater than ever.

“The need to invest in an equitable health system that responds to the needs of women in both urban and rural areas is greater than ever.

“The immediate and long-term value of the 2022 funding boost is clear. It has enabled the women’s health sector to achieve real change for women and, with continued investment, we can continue this vital work.

“A continuation of the increased funding will enable us to expand our work to include mental health and advocating for the needs of women in the face of a changing society, where natural disasters are predicted to increase in frequency and severity.”

The Victorian Women’s Health Services Network is a collective of 12 state government-funded Women’s Health Services, according to the report, before the 2022-23 Victorian Budget, the Women’s Health Services Network says there had not been a real increase in core funding in almost 35 years.

“As a result, between 1988 and 2021, core funding for Women’s Health Services declined from about $4.35 per woman to $2.07 per woman,” the report states.

In 2022-23, their collective funding almost doubled to just over $20 million a year, opening new opportunities to respond to local needs, support targeted interventions to vulnerable groups, strengthen partnerships, and implement state-wide policies.

“An end to the additional funding will result in reduced capacity, reach and impact, and it will harm Victoria’s progress towards gender equality,” Ms Wood said.

“The sector has been chronically underfunded since its inception. It is only through this uplift in funding that we have been adequately resourced to this critical work.”