The Royal Women’s Hospital’s annual International Women’s Day breakfast focused on the next phase of women’s health reform, drawing on lived experience and sector expertise to explore why this moment matters.
More than 300 guests attended the event, highlighting the growing momentum to improve healthcare for women and gender diverse people.
The Women’s CEO Professor Sue Matthews said International Women’s Day is a chance to regroup around shared purpose, advocacy and the need to close long-standing gaps in health outcomes.
“We have evidence, strong partnerships and the voices of women and gender diverse people pushing us forward,” she said. She added that the Victorian Inquiry into Women’s Pain showed how powerful lived experience can be when shaping policy and practice.
The Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas, told the audience that Victoria is investing in stronger and fairer services. She highlighted new pain clinics, expanded women’s health hubs and better access to pain relief for procedures such as IUD insertions. She said continued investment is essential to improving access, cultural safety and equity across the state.
Women’s voices at the centre
This year’s event featured a panel that reflected the theme ‘Women’s Health on the Rise – why now matters more than ever’. The three outstanding female leaders on the panel were Karinda Taylor, CEO of First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing, musician and disability advocate, Eliza Hull OAM and Associate Professor Paddy Moore AM from the Women’s. The discussion was moderated by Dr Preeya Alexander, co-host of the ABC's Health Report.
Each panellist shared insights into barriers that continue to shape women’s experience of care. Eliza Hull spoke about the assumptions she faced as a woman with disability and how these
shaped her confidence. She said more respectful conversations can transform an interaction with a health professional and that simple respect can make a major difference. “What do you need? That’s such an important question,” she said.
Karinda Taylor outlined the impact of racism and what she described as “stacked” discrimination on First Nations women. She said culturally safe care is essential and that trust is built when women feel respected and understood. “A win for us is when women come back. They come back because they feel safe and heard,” she said.
A/Prof Paddy Moore discussed the shifts already emerging after the Inquiry into Women’s Pain. She said improved pain relief options and more local services for contraception and abortion are giving women greater access and choice. “We weren’t able to get that level of choice before… this is transformative,” she said.
Throughout the morning, speakers highlighted that progress is building but must be sustained. Dr Preeya Alexander closed the event by encouraging guests to “maintain momentum.” She urged the audience to keep pushing for progress, especially with this year’s global IWD theme: Balance the Scales.
The breakfast was supported by the Women’s principal partner, La Trobe University.
