ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRYThis document has been compiled and printed
on Wurundjeri land. MCWH acknowledges
the traditional owners and their continuing
connection to land, sea and community.
We recognise that as immigrants to this country,
we also benefit from the British colonisation
of Australia and share the responsibility of
respecting the land and its people.
We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples, their ancestors and
elders, both past and present.
As we move towards our 40th anniversary year in
2018, I’m proud of the unique and significant role
that MCWH plays in the lives of so many women
who have willingly or unwillingly immigrated to
Australia, permanently or temporarily, or who have
grown up as children or grandchildren of migrants.
This year one of our bilingual educators was
approached by a woman while she was visiting a
hospital. The woman said, “Hello, do you remember
me? You saved my life.” The woman had attended a
free session she led on breast and cervical cancer at
a local language school. As a result of that session
the woman had decided to see a doctor where she
was diagnosed with cervical cancer and able to
access treatment.
The impact that our health education programs make
on the health and wellbeing of the women we meet
is sometimes hard to quantify. However our work
positively changes women’s lives. The welcome
renewal of our national program, Multicultural
Women’s Health Australia, gives us greater capacity
to extend our reach and to amplify the voices
of immigrant and refugee women in relation to
reproductive and sexual health.
MCWH has much to celebrate, and the last year has
been no exception. We have many achievements to
be proud of, which are outlined in the pages of this
report. Congratulations to the MCWH staff and Board
on a wonderful year.
Repa Patel
This year Multicultural Centre for Women’s
Health has worked on national and international
levels to bring immigrant and refugee women’s
concerns and voices to the table. We spoke with
the UN Rapporteur on Violence against Women
during her visit to Australia, hosted a site visit for
international delegates of the World Congress on
Public Health, and organised an amazing program
for the Intersectionality stream of the Prevalent and
Preventable conference in Adelaide.
On the research and policy fronts, we published the
comprehensive ASPIRE research report and hosted
the successful Foundations for Change Forum, with
an engaging keynote address from Somaliland
women’s rights activist, Amina Warsame. We
translated our research findings to provide policy
advice and input into the Victorian government’s
strategies on gender equality, the prevention of
violence against women and sexual and reproductive
health. Our transformational training programs
go from strength to strength, building capacity for
service providers to do their work inclusively and
effectively.
These achievements ran alongside our core health
promotion and PACE women’s leadership programs,
which provide multilingual health education
and empower immigrant and refugee women
across Victoria. We extend our appreciation to the
wonderful women who participated in our programs
this year, and who always provide us with the energy
we need to keep doing what we do.
Adele Murdolo
Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health
(MCWH) is a national, community-based
organisation, led by and for women from
immigrant and refugee backgrounds.
We work to improve the health and
wellbeing of immigrant and refugee
women in Australia through research,
training, education and advocacy.
OCEAN
by Paw Htoo Lei (taken as part of the
ASPIRE Photovoice Exhibition)
This picture was taken on a trip to Maria Island
with other members of my community. Even
though we have lived here a long time, many
things are still new to us. I’ve been here seven
years, but this island is still new to me. It’s the
same with our rights and laws. Even though
there are laws protecting women, we don’t
always know about them.
CHAIRPERSON’S INTRODUCTION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
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MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017 MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017
We promoted, organised, resourced and delivered 358
health education sessions across 16 local government
areas in 19 languages, making 6092 points of contact
with women in Victoria to talk about their health and
wellbeing.
In addition, we distributed 5931 written resources
to women in requested languages, and conducted
9 radio interviews on key health topics for SBS Radio
Chinese, SBS Radio Punjabi, SBS Radio Arabic and
3MDR Croatian.
This year 30 women participated in our PACE leadership
and 50 service providers in cross-cultural awareness
training. We provided 28 expert consultations and
delivered 38 presentations reaching over 2000 attendees.
SNAPSHOT2016 - 2017
431
117
11354
597
1399
654
1791 MIDDLE EASTERNAfghani Arabic AssyrianChaldean Egyptian Hazara IranianIraqiKurdishLebanesePersianSaudiSyrianYemeni
SOUTH EAST ASIANBurmeseChinMalaysianFilipinaSingaporeanVietnamese
SOUTH ASIANBangladeshiBhutaneseIndianNepalesePakistaniPunjabiSri Lankan Tamil
EUROPEANBosnianCroatianDutchFrenchGermanGreekIrishItalianLithuanian MacedonianNorwegianPolishRomanianSerbianSlovenianSpanishTurkish
EAST ASIANCantonese & Mandarinspeaking ChineseHong KongeseTaiwanese
AUSTRALASIANAustralianNew Zealander Nauruan
AFRICANEritreanEthiopianMoroccanNuerSomaliSudanese
SOUTH AMERICANArgentinianChileanColombianPeruvianSalvadorianUruguayanVenezuelan
UNKNOWN 5
Sexual & reproductive
health
Healthy choices
Healthy ageing
Occupational health & safety
Mental health
Family violence
International student access to
(SRH) services
PRIORITY ISSUES BASED ON EXTERNAL REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION
WOMEN WE REACHED
MIDDLE EASTERN
SOUTH EAST ASIAN
EUROPEAN
EAST ASIAN
AFRICAN
AUSTRALASIAN
SOUTH AMERICAN
SOUTH ASIAN
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MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017 MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017
“The sessions have made me take my own health
more seriously, because no one can replace me to
look after my own body.”
Our Health Education Program, including our Family
and Reproductive Rights Education Program (FARREP),
continues to be the core of MCWH: we hold peer-based
sessions with women across Victoria, building their
knowledge about health and wellbeing. Our bilingual
health educators provide up-to-date information on
over 50 health topics in over 20 languages, including
sexual and reproductive health, mental health, gender
equality and preventing violence against women. We
reach thousands of women every year in workplaces,
factories, education settings, prisons and community
organisations.
“I used to think that using contraceptives was just
to avoid pregnancy. The facilitator explained that
as women we have the right to have safe sex – and
this means, not just avoiding pregnancy but also
avoiding catching an STI.”
PROGRAM FUNDER:
Victorian Department of Health
PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS:
Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities, AMES
Australia, Australian Ankawa Club, Australian Muslim
Women’s Centre for Human Rights, Arabic Welfare,
Australian Mesopotamian Women’s Association,
Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association, Bendigo
Community Health Service, Coolaroo South Primary
School, Chinese Cancer Society of Victoria, Chinese
Mandarin Community Friendship Association, City
of Melbourne, Darebin Greek Women’s Group,
Dianella Health, Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, Gippsland
Multicultural Services, Greek Women’s Group
Broadmeadows, Guru Nanak Sikh Society, Hume
Afghan Association, Indian Seniors Group Dandenong,
Indochinese Elderly Association, ISIS Primary Care,
Jesuit Social Services, Kathleen Syme Library &
Community Centre, Kensington Neighbourhood House,
Kew Neighbourhood Learning Centre, Manningham
Council, Melbourne Polytechnic, Merinda Park Learning
and Community Centre, Merri Community Health
Services Limited, Nestle, Sikh Welfare and Educational
Centre, Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre, Tamil
Women’s Group Dandenong, Wyndham Community
and Education Centre, VICSEG, Vietnamese Welfare
Resource Centre, Wyndham Community and Education
Centre, Yarra City Council.
THANKS:
Everyone who has been involved in the program and
helped organised sessions with us.
REACH:
252 education sessions in 15 languages including
Arabic, Assyrian, Cantonese, Croatian, Dari, English (for
mixed groups), Farsi, Greek, Hindi, Mandarin, Punjabi,
Somali, Spanish, Tamil and Vietnamese across 16 local
councils in Victoria, making a total of 4,171 contacts with
women.
“The session surprised me because the facilitator
did not mention any words like what “you should or
should not” do this or that. I actually gained a lot of
new information. I have changed my attitude about
attending the sessions and I will continue to attend
the sessions and encourage others to come.”
BUILDING WOMEN’S
KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH & WELLBEING
Are you more
likely to do any
of the following
differently now
that you have
attended the
health education
program?
Talk to my family about health concerns
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Visit a doctor or other health professional to talk about
health concerns
Change some of the things I do so to be more healthy
(eg. some of the things I eat or drink, how often I exercise)
Pay more attention tomy health and wellbeing
Share the knowledge I have gained with friends and
community members
Yes Maybe No Not applicableI already did this before the session(s)
RESPONSES FROM 100 WOMEN WHO
PARTICIPATED IN OUR COMPREHENSIVE 8-WEEK HEALTH
EDUCATION PROGRAM IN 2016-17
SETTINGS WHERE WE
PROVIDED HEALTH EDUCATION & NUMBER OF
CONTACT MADE
Women’s groups 1481
Seniors’groups1105
English language schools
655
Workplaces 215
Mothers’ groups
157
Carers’ groups
165
Mental health groups
93
Prisons145
Settlement services
155
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MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017 MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Our Gambling Awareness Project (GAP) raises
community awareness of gambling-related harm
among migrant groups in Victoria through education
sessions, peer support groups and resources co-
designed with communities. GAP links women to
existing linguistically and culturally appropriate services
as well as encouraging culturally responsive practices in
mainstream services.
PROJECT FUNDER:
Victoria Responsible Gambling Foundation
PROJECT PARTNERS:
Arabic Welfare Inc., Australian Vietnamese Women’s
Association, Chinese Gambling Concern Inc., Federation
of Chinese Association, Springvale
Indo-Chinese Mutual Assistance Association and
Victorian Arabic Social Services.
THANKS:
Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation and our
fantastic partner organisations for their invaluable
support of the project.
REACH:
593 community members across 29 sessions delivered
in Arabic, Cantonese, Greek, Italian, Macedonian,
Mandarin, Punjabi, Tamil and Vietnamese. In addition,
MCWH produced written resources in Arabic, Assyrian,
Chinese, Dari, Tamil, Hazaragi, Punjabi and Vietnamese.
“I guess we all know about how gambling can
harm the individual and the family, but we tend
to avoid seeking help. The session has increased
my confidence to deal with my gambling problem.
There are a lot of different services or support for
gamblers. I can actually use phone counselling. I
think this is great because I do not need to meet with
the counsellor face to face.”
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN COMMUNITIES & GAMBLING
SUPPORT
SUPPORTING CARERS &
THEIR FAMILIES
“The facilitator asked if anyone was in a caring role
and none of us raised our hand. [She] explained that
becoming a carer might involve gradually doing
more and more things to assist the other person.
I started to think that perhaps I am a carer for my
husband. [He] used to be independent, but after a
few falls I have had to follow him everywhere and
help him with showering and toileting...Today’s
session has given me a clearer understanding of the
caring role and how I might fit into it.”
The ‘Dealing With it Myself’ project has increased
awareness about the role and needs of carers from
migrant communities and their families. In its second
year the project conducted education sessions across
Melbourne and regional areas, including Bendigo,
Morwell and Shepparton. Chinese and Punjabi groups
of carers were also able to experience respite first hand
through special peer support group activities including
an excursion to the Shepparton Gurdwara, Chinese New
Year lunch and outings in Melbourne.
PROJECT FUNDER:
Commonwealth Department of Health
THANKS:
The Advisory group and all the organisations who have
contributed to the success of this project.
REACH:
867 community members across 49 education sessions
delivered to Arabic, multicultural Burmese (Karen
and Chin), Chinese, former Yugoslavian and Indian
communities; and 23 Chinese and Punjabi carers
through support groups. MCWH also produced written
resources in Arabic, Burmese, Chinese Simplified,
Croatian, English and Punjabi.
“As a non-carer I really enjoyed the whole session,
which allowed me to be reflective as a care recipient.
I take for granted my carer who is also my wife. I
forget to recognise all her hard work, because I keep
thinking of the caring role as a woman’s role.”
Dealing With it Myself
project outing, left to right:
Harjit Kaur, Gurmeet Kaur,
Bilingual Health Educator
Gagan Kaur Cheema, Amarjit
Kaur, Sukhjinder Kaur &
Balvir Kaur
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MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017 MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017
PREVENTING FEMALE CIRCUMCISION IN AUSTRALIAOur NETFA Project leads national community action
and education to prevent female genital mutilation or
cutting (FGM/C). This year we were honoured to host
international guest Amina Warsame from the Network
Against FGM/C in Somaliland to speak at our national
‘Foundations for Change’ forum in Melbourne.
NETFA’s work supports organisations to increase
professional and community awareness of how the
practice can impact women’s sexual and reproductive
health. Our network now boasts 50 members,
including partners in each state and territory.
PROJECT FUNDER:
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
NATIONAL NETWORK PARTNERS:
Family Planning Welfare Association of NT; ACT
Women’s Health Service; Women and Newborn
Health Service, Edward Memorial Hospital WA; TRUE
Relationships and Reproductive Health QLD; NSW
Education Program on FGM, NSW Health; Red Cross
Tasmania Bicultural Community Education Program
TAS; Refugee Women’s Health and Safety Program,
Women’s Health Statewide, SA.
PROJECT REACH:
74 forum participants including representatives of the
NZ FGM Education Programme; a network spanning 50
member organisations across Australia; and a dedicated
website and online presence. In addition NETFA
developed an information booklet, online page and help
cards in eight languages (Amharic, Arabic, Indonesian,
French, Oromo, Somali, Tigrigna and English). For more
information go to www.FGMinAustralia.com.au
KEEPING PACE: CHAMPIONING
MIGRANT WOMEN’S
LEADERSHIP
LEADING A NATIONAL
NETWORK OF ORGANISATIONS WHO SUPPORT &
PROMOTE MIGRANT WOMEN’S HEALTH
PACE WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP PROGRAM AT SOUTHERN CROSS CARE (VIC)Partnering with a workplace committed to supporting
future leaders, the PACE Program helped migrant
women in the SCCV workforce to further develop their
professional skills and build their confidence to pursue
career advancement opportunities.
PROJECT FUNDER AND PARTNER:
Southern Cross Care (Vic)
THANKS:
Bianca Mologousis, our co-trainer at SCC (Vic) and SCC
(Vic) Management for their ongoing support
REACH:
Twelve women working at Southern Cross Care (Vic)
THE STORIES FOR HARMONY PROJECTThe Stories for Community Harmony Project brought
together women living in inner Melbourne to value
their shared strengths and build positive relationships
between their diverse communities.
PROJECT FUNDER:
Multicultural Affairs and Social Cohesion Division,
Department of Premier and Cabinet
THANKS:
Staff and students of the Fitzroy Learning Network
REACH:
Eighteen women living in inner Melbourne
“It’s been such a wonderful journey for me of being
part of PACE program. Not only I have learnt a lot
from this course, but also I have met and had the
time to know other participants.”
Our women’s leadership model is about building women’s
confidence to Participate, Advocate, Communicate and Engage
(PACE). This year we have had many opportunities to support
women at different stages on their leadership paths. These
programs are also opportunities for us to meet extraordinary
women who inspire us in our work. We wish all the women who
graduated this year a bright future and hope to stay in touch!
Stories for Harmony PACE Program participants
LEADING A NATIONAL NETWORK OF ORGANISATIONS WHO SUPPORT & PROMOTE MIGRANT WOMEN’S HEALTHNational coordination to increase women’s sexual and
reproductive health
This year our vision as a national voice for immigrant
women’s health was strengthened by renewed funding
from the Commonwealth Department of Health. Our
Multicultural Women’s Health Australia (MWHA)
Network brings together partners across Australia to
share best practice and new knowledge to support and
promote immigrant and refugee women’s sexual and
reproductive health.
Our national program also directly supports women and
their families to make informed decisions about family
planning and reproductive health by maintaining an
up-to-date, nationally accessible online multilingual
health catalogue. Our free national telephone service
1800 656 421, allows women to request free written
health information in over 70 languages.
PROGRAM FUNDER:
Commonwealth Department of Health
NATIONAL NETWORK PARTNERS:
Women’s Centre for Health Matters (ACT), Ishar
Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health (WA), Red
Cross Tasmania Bicultural Health Program (TAS), Migrant
Health Service (SA), Immigrant Women’s Support
Service (QLD)
PROGRAM REACH:
Our national partners and their networks; 522 resources
distributed and/or referrals made in response to 243
external requests for multilingual health information;
over 700 newsletter subscribers; and over 7000 website
users nationally.
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MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017 MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017
ASPIRE: NATIONAL RESEARCH TO PREVENT FAMILY VIOLENCE In December 2016, Tasmanian Minister for Women
and Human Services, the Hon. Jacquie Petrusma,
launched the final report of our national research project
to better understand immigrant and refugee women’s
experiences of family violence. The ASPIRE Project:
Promoting community-led responses to violence against
immigrant and refugee women in metropolitan and
regional Australia, is the largest study of immigrant and
refugee women’s experiences of violence in Australia
that has ever been conducted. Our findings have
significantly contributed to building an evidence base
and have already played an important role in informing
improved policy and service responses to immigrant
and refugee women and their families. One of the most
powerful outcomes of the project is the Photovoice
exhibition of photographs taken and described by
women whose lives have been professionally or
personally impacted by family violence.
PROJECT FUNDER:
Australia’s National Research Organisation
for Women’s Safety (ANROWS)
RESEARCH PARTNERS:
Dr Cathy Vaughan, Associate Professor Deb Warr,
Dr Karen Block, Erin Davis, Samantha Mannix and
Amanda Thompson at the Gender and Women’s Health
Unit, Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of
Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne
and Dr Linda Murray at the University of Tasmania.
THANKS:
To the hundreds of women who shared their stories
and strength with us, the women of Photovoice, the
many organisations that gave their time, expertise and
experience, the MCWH BHE team and the Bicultural
Health Education Program at Red Cross Tasmania. Our
heartfelt thanks also to ANROWS and our incredible
research team.
OUTCOMES:
A nationally launched literature review, research report
and fact sheet series, input into national and state policy,
and ongoing promotion of the Photovoice exhibition,
which is available for display.
BUILDING EVIDENCE FOR
EQUITY
LISTENING FOR (A) CHANGE (CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECT)A one year participatory research project asking women
with refugee backgrounds to share their perspectives on
effective approaches to prevention of family violence in
refugee communities.
PROJECT FUNDER:
Melbourne Research Alliance to End Violence against
women and their children, University of Melbourne.
RESEARCH PARTNERS:
Dr Cathy Vaughan, Dr Karen Block, Ms Sarah Khaw,
Dr Odette Kelada, Dr Ana Dragojlovic and Ms Joumanah
El-Matrah
MORE THAN THE SUM OF MY PARTS(CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECT)A one year research project exploring how women with
disabilities’ diverse social identities interact with their
experiences of disability to shape their perspectives and
experiences in relation to their sexual and reproductive
health and rights.
PROJECT FUNDER:
University of Melbourne
(Disability Research Initiative Grant)
RESEARCH PARTNERS:
Dr Cathy Vaughan, Ms Alex Devine, Dr Lucy Healey, Dr
Piers Gooding, Dr Kristin Diemer, Ms Keran Howe and
Ms Jen Hargrave
THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE
by Ruby (taken as part of the ASPIRE Photovoice Exhibition)
I once lived in a world in which women and education were not valued. Women usually had two choices; marry
by choice or by force (arranged marriage). The tiara worn back to front symbolises my bravery at standing strong
against arranged marriage. I wore black as a symbol of duality. Black is the colour of morning and I mourned all the
lost opportunities eduction could offer me. But black is also the colour of graduation. I never stopped believing in
the ‘power of knowledge’. Eventually I went back to school and got my diploma. I stand in a public library because
books were once denied me. ‘Women should not be smart’, I was told. But I would go to the library in spite of such
beliefs, and travel to the past to find my ancient female ancestors and have a conversation. Hypatia of Alexandria
my favourite. Their spirit gave me strength, the opportunity to access knowledge and courage.
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MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017 MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017
INNOVATIVE CROSS-CULTURAL TRAINING FOR SERVICE PROVIDERSOur transformational training program continues
to change and challenge professional practice and
perspectives about cultural difference, power and
privilege. In addition to our significant work with
Victorian Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) services, this
year we delivered our full 2-day training program to staff
at Jesuit Social Services.
PROJECT FUNDER:
Commonwealth Department of Health
PROJECT PARTNERS:
Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre, ShantiWorks
THANKS:
Dr Tracy Castelino of ShantiWorks for her valuable input
into training development and delivery.
REACH:
Over 50 participants across multiple services.
“For me, the training highlighted the biases I bring to
the work without realising...I think I really recognised
and understood privileges I had taken for granted
which I will be more aware of for the future.”
“Excellent, provocative and reflective workshop.”
BUILDING CAPACITY FOR
INTERSECTIONAL PRACTICE
LEADING THE CALL FOR AN INTERSECTIONAL APPROACH TO PREVENTING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMENMCWH was invited to co-convene the intersectionality
stream of the ‘Prevalent and Preventable’: International
Conference on Violence Against Women organised
by the Australian Women Against Violence Alliance
(AWAVA) and Our Watch in Adelaide in September 2016.
The conference provided an important opportunity for
local and international experts and stakeholders to come
together to discuss ways to prevent violence against
women and children.
THANKS:
Merrindahl Andrew, AWAVA; Jess Cadwallader, People
with Disability Australia; Loren Days, Our Watch; Yvonne
Lay, Good Shepherd; and Marge Charlesworth.
REACH:
Over 300 family violence workers, community
advocates, policy makers, researchers, government,
non-government and other professionals from around
Australia, New Zealand, the Asia Pacific and beyond.
PROVIDING EXPERT ADVICE TO WOMEN’S HEALTH SERVICES ACROSS VICTORIAThis year MCWH was contracted to provide expert
advice and consultation to Victoria’s nine regional
women’s health services to support the development
and implementation of their regional action plans to
prevent violence against women. Responding to need,
the six month project involved strong collaboration with
Women with Disabilities Victoria and Gay and Lesbian
Health Victoria (GLHV) and focussed on intersectional
and inclusive approaches. The project culminated in a
co-delivered two-day forum addressing ‘Intersectionality
in Action’ and the development of a guide for engaging
immigrant and refugee communities in violence
prevention activities.
PROJECT FUNDER:
Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet.
THANKS:
Women’s Health Association of Victoria, Women with
Disabilities Victoria, GLHV and Women’s Health Victoria.
REACH:
Over 70 forum participants from government, women’s
health and community services. Expert consultation and
planning support provided to nine regional women’s
health services covering all of Victoria. In addition,
MCWH developed a guide for engaging immigrant and
refugee communities in violence prevention activities.
“There was a real feeling of having ‘turned a
corner’, or taken a ‘giant leap’ in interrogating what
intersectionality means for the prevention of violence
against women.”
CONSULTATIONKey consultations with government and stakeholders included:• Commonwealth Department of Health, Consultation on
the drafted Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy
• Fiona Richardson MP, Victorian Minister for Women and Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Roundtable Consultation on the Social and Economic Participation of Multicultural Women
• Simone McCurk MLA, Member for Fremantle and Western Australian Shadow Minister for Community Services, Children’s Interests and Women’s Interests, Consultation on immigrant and refugee women’s experiences of violence.
• United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Roundtable consultation with Primary Prevention experts, and migrant and refugee community experts.
• Victorian Department of Health & Human Services, Consultation for Improving Reproductive Health Services across Victoria (Action Plan)
• Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, Office of Prevention and Women’s Equality, Consultations for Victorian Government Gender Equality Strategy – CALD communities – LGBTI communities – open consultation – seniors – women in Leadership – young Victorians
• Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, Office of Prevention and Women’s Equality, Consultation on co-designing a shared vision for a future family violence system
• Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission, Consultation on the Equal Opportunity Act Guidelines on Service Provision and Family Violence
Other organisations that sought our expertise over the year included:
COMMUNICATING OUR MESSAGES
TO A WIDER AUDIENCE
MCWH amplifies the voices of immigrant and refugee women
in our community through national advocacy and policy input.
• Alcohol and Drug Foundation
• Australian Human Rights Commission
• Birth for Humankind• Carer’s Victoria• Ethnic Communities
Council of Victoria• Islamic Council of Victoria• mAdapt• Moreland City Council• Our Watch• Refugee Council of
Australia and Refugee Legal
• RMIT University• Switchboard Victoria• Sydney and East Sydney
Primary Health Network• TRUE Relationships and
Reproductive Health QLD• VicHealth• Western Bulldogs
Football Club Community Foundation
• White Ribbon Australia• Women’s Health East• Women’s Health West• Women with
Disabilities Victoria
PRESENTATIONSJuly 20167 J Chen, Panel discussion following the screening of
‘The Mask You Live In’, City of Darebin, Northcote Library, Northcote
September 201616 M Hameed and R Aryal, ‘Approaching Migrant
Workers’ Rights in Australia’, Guest Lecture, Anthropology Department, Monash University, Clayton
20 J Chen, ‘Why Words Matter: defining prevention of violence against women’ Panel, Intersectionality Stream, Prevalent & Preventable: Violence Against Women and their Children Conference, AWAVA and Our Watch, Adelaide
20 R Quiazon, ‘Understanding Intersectionality: What are we really talking about?’ Panel, Intersectionality Stream, Prevalent & Preventable: Violence Against Women and their Children Conference, AWAVA and Our Watch, Adelaide
20 M Hameed, ‘Engaging communities in prevention: translating theories of diversity into practice’ Panel, Intersectionality Stream, Prevalent & Preventable: Violence Against Women and their Children Conference, AWAVA and Our Watch, Adelaide
22 M Hameed, ‘Closing session: National-level policy making and building change: Where to from here and steps forward’ Panel, Prevalent & Preventable: Violence Against Women and their Children Conference, AWAVA and Our Watch, Adelaide
October 201619 Y Gao, ‘Art-making, mutual support and partnership:
peer support program for CALD women affected by gambling-related harm’, Many Ways to Help Conference 2016, Victoria Responsible Gambling Foundation, Melbourne
November 20162 J Jiang, ‘Rethinking ‘culture’ and ‘diversity’ in the aged
care workforce’
2 J Jiang, ‘Embracing and supporting a diverse workforce’, 49th Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) Conference, Canberra
3 R Aryal, ‘Lived experiences and support needs of immigrant and refugee carers’, 49th Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) Conference, Canberra
4 J Jiang, ‘A Coping Mechanism – Informal Working Caregivers’ Self-imposed Silence’, 49th Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) Conference, Canberra
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MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017 MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017
November 2016 cont.10 R Quiazon, ‘Sexual and Reproductive Rights: Then and
Now’, Panel, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Advocacy Event Series, SPEAK (Speaker Programs for Empowerment Advocacy and Knowledge), Richmond
21 J Jiang, ‘Increasing availability of medical abortion? What does this mean for women from immigrant and refugee backgrounds’, Second Forum on Medical Abortion, Women’s Health Victoria, Melbourne
25 R Quiazon, ‘MCWH White Ribbon Research Report on Engaging Men in PVAW’, Multicultural White Ribbon Day, Spectrum, Darebin Ethnic Communities Council and Darebin City Council, Preston
December 20165 A Murdolo, Keynote Address, ‘Giving a problem
a name: The case for feminist leadership in the prevention of violence against women’, Stop Domestic Violence Conference, Brisbane
8 J Chen, ‘The ASPIRE Photovoice Project’, Djerriwarrh Melton Women Making it Happen Lunch, Djerriwarrh Health Services, Melton
8 Y Gao, ‘Introduction of five new in-language resources’, Gambler’s Help Provider Forum, Victoria Responsible Gambling Foundation, Melbourne
February 20176 R Quiazon, ‘Sexual Health and the Global Movement of
People: What does it mean for policy?’ Sexual Health and the Global Movement of People Forum, Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health, Melbourne
14 J Chen, ‘The Significance of the ASPIRE findings for Settlement Services,’ Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre, Preston
15 J Chen, ‘Cross-cultural issues in women’s health’, Guest Lecture, Family and Community Studies in the Graduate Diploma in Child & Family Health Nursing for Maternal and Child Health Nurses, RMIT, Bundoora
17 J Jiang, ‘We are still catching up: collaborating with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, VAADA Conference 2017: Complexity, Collaboration, Consumers and Care, Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association, Melbourne
17 R Aryal, ‘Cross-Cultural Awareness’, Monash University Science Mentors Program, Monash University, Clayton
23 J Jiang, Presenter, Intersectional Approaches – immigrant and refugee perspectives, Women’s Health Services Orientation Day, WHAV, WHV
March 20177 A Murdolo, ‘IWD Feminism in the Pub Panel
Discussion’, Victorian Trades Hall Council, Melbourne
9 R Quiazon, Introductory address to ‘Hidden Figures’ Screening, International Women’s Day Event, Women’s Health in the North, Preston
16 J Jiang & M Idriess, ‘How does FARREP link with, support and influence other programs and organisations; ‘Do we need FARREP and why?’; and MCWH presentation, Panels, Celebrating the success of the Victorian Family and Reproductive Rights Education Program, Department of Health and Human Services, Melbourne
23 R Quiazon, ‘Salt in the Wound: Are we losing people to gaps that exist between health sector organisations?’ Panel, Women of the World Festival, Footscray Community Arts & Women of the World, Footscray
31 A Murdolo, ‘ASPIRE findings’, Women’s Gathering, Glenorchy City Council and Southern Tasmania Migrant Resource Centre, Hobart
April 20177 R Aryal, ‘Dealing With it Myself and MCWH’ Speed-
date a Women’s Health Service, Women’s Health Victoria for the World Congress on Public Health 2017, Melbourne
26 A Murdolo, ‘ASPIRE Project findings and service development strategies’, Workshop, Women’s Safety Services South Australia, Adelaide
May 201718 A Murdolo, Presenter, ASPIRE Project findings and
Photovoice Exhibition, Melton City Council, Melton
18 A Rahmanovic, ‘Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Leadership’, CALD Leadership Program, AMES Australia, Melbourne
31 A Murdolo and R Quiazon, ‘Gender, Culture and Men; Engaging and immigrant refugee men in the prevention of violence against women’, Creating Confidence: Working with People from CALD Communities to Prevent Violence against Women, Eastern Metropolitan Region Regional Family Violence Partnership, Nunawading
31 R Quiazon and M Wagh-Nikam with K Block, ‘Key findings from the ASPIRE Research Project - Promoting community led-responses to violence against immigrant and women in metropolitan and regional Australia’, Creating Confidence: Working with People from CALD Communities to Prevent Violence against Women, Eastern Metropolitan Region Regional Family Violence Partnership, Nunawading
June 201713 R Quiazon with L Days, Our Watch, ‘Theory and Ideas:
Introduction to Intersectionality’, Intersectionality in Action Forum, Women’s Health Association of Victoria, Melbourne
14 J Chen, ‘Intersectionality and immigrant and refugee communities’, and ‘Intersectionality Panel’, Intersectionality in Action Forum, Women’s Health Association of Victoria, Melbourne
COMMITTEES• AMES Australia, Prevention of Violence Against Women
Leadership Program Reference Group
• ANROWS, Practitioner Engagement Group
• Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights, Muslim Women and Respectful Relationships Project Advisory Group
• Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights, Increasing Access to Trauma-informed Care for CALD and Muslim Women Affected by Violence Advisory Group
• Cancer Council Victoria, Engaging with never and under-screened women in cervical screening National Advisory Group
• Deakin University, International Students Sexual Health National Network
• Diabetes Victoria, CALD Life Program Working Group
• Dianella Health, Community for Respect and Equality of Women (Hume CREW) Steering Group
• Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, Elder Abuse Awareness Project Steering Committee
• mAdapt Project Steering Committee Group
• Royal Women’s Hospital, Primary Care and Population Health Advisory Committee Meeting
• Switchboard Victoria ‘Everybody Under the Rainbow’ Advisory Committee
• TRUE Relationships and Reproductive Health QLD, Culturally Responsive Health Advisory Group
• University of Melbourne, Steering Group of Migrant Workers Campaign
• Victoria University, Experiences of Early Menopause Project Reference Group
• Victorian Cross Sector Alliance on the Implementation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence
• Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, Diverse Communities and Intersectionality Working Group
• Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, Industry Taskforce Diversity Committee
• Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, Ministerial Taskforce to Prevent Family Violence and Other Forms of Violence Against Women
• Victorian Department of Premier & Cabinet, Office of Prevention & Women’s Equality, Women’s Board Leadership Victoria Program Project Reference Group
• Women’s Health Association of Victoria Board and Communities of Practice
• White Ribbon, White Ribbon Policy and Research Committee
• Whittlesea City Council, Whittlesea Community Futures Partnership
• Women’s Health East, Eastern Metropolitan Region Sexual and Reproductive Health Reference Group
• Women’s Health West, Our Community Our Rights Expert Advisory Group
• Women with Disabilities Victoria, CALD Enabling Women Reference Group
SUBMISSIONS• Australian Law Reform Commission Enquiry into Elder
Abuse, Submission with University of Melbourne, 22 August 2016
• Submission to the Department of Social Services on a draft Service Delivery Model for a proposed new carer support service system, 16 December 2016.
• Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, in advance of her visit to Australia in February 2017
PUBLICATIONS• Vaughan, C., Davis, E., Murdolo, A., Chen, J., Murray,
L., Quiazon, R., Block, K., & Warr, D. (2016). Promoting community-led responses to violence against immigrant and refugee women in metropolitan and regional Australia. The ASPIRE Project: Research report (ANROWS Horizons 07/2016). Sydney: Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety
• Chen, J. (2017) .Working with immigrant and refugee communities to prevent violence against women guide. Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health. Melbourne
15 16
MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017 MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017
INESCAPABLE LONELINESS
by Ruby (taken as part of the ASPIRE Photovoice Exhibition)
“Service providers associate loneliness with depression. I had no time for depression I needed to survive.
For me loneliness is expressed perfectly by Kim Culbertson, ‘People think being alone makes you lonely
but I don’t think that’s true. Being surrounded by the wrong people is the loneliest thing in the world.’
I remember once thinking how could I express my situation to a service provider who had limited or
no cultural understanding. Things have not changed much in country areas today.”
KEY FUNDERS• Victorian Department of Health • Commonwealth Department of Health Australia
PROJECT FUNDERS• Commonwealth Department of Social Services • Eastern Health• Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation• Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet • Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
RESEARCH FUNDERS• ANROWS• University of Melbourne
PARTNERS• Southern Cross Care (Vic)• Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre
BILINGUAL REGISTER CLIENTS• AMES Australia• Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights• Breakthru• Diabetes Victoria• Dianella Community Health• Family Planning Victoria• Gippsland Multicultural Services • Heart Foundation• Polaron
TRAINING AND PRESENTATION CLIENTS• Darebin City Council• Footscray Community Arts Centre• Jesuit Social Services• Monash University• Women’s Safety Services SA
IN-KIND SUPPORTERS• Australian Football League (AFL)• Basketball Victoria• Calvista• John Batman Group• KeySun Laboratories• Parks Victoria• Public Transport Victoria• Tennis Australia• Tom Organic
THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS, PARTNERS AND
SUPPORTERS
BUILDING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS
TO INCREASEOUR IMPACT
MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDINGThis year MCWH signed two Memoranda of
Understanding: one with AMES Australia and another
with Diabetes Victoria. These MOUs are significant: they
formalise our shared commitment as organisations to
work together to increase opportunities for immigrant
women to access key health information and services.
Thank you to everyone involved in building and nurturing
these rich and productive relationships.
17 18
MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017 MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017
SUMMARY INCOME STATEMENT 2017 2016
REVENUE
Dept of Health & Human Services(Vic) 631,618 609,359Commonwealth Dept of Health 218,00 193,992Other 802,705 738,185 TOTAL REVENUE 1,652,323 1,541,536
LESS EXPENDITURE
Employment 1,317,068 1,189,385Other Costs 357,175 342,543TOTAL EXPENDITURE 1,674,243 1,531,928
SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) (21,920) 9,608
SUMMARY BALANCE SHEET
Cash & Cash Equivalents 1,061,479 449,765Trade and Other Receivables 92,247 220,045Property, Plant & Equipment 51,689 67,347 TOTAL ASSETS 1,205,415 737,157
Trade and Other Payables 97,125 83,512 Grant Income in Advance 620,814 173,000 Provisions 196,767 168,016
TOTAL LIABIITIES 914,706 424,528
NET ASSETS 290,709 312,629
MCWH WOULD LIKE TO THANKOUR AUDITORS COLLINS AND CO.
MULTICULTURAL CENTRE FOR WOMEN’S HEALTHREG NO: A0023550RFINANCIAL SUMMARY
FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE 2017The financial information contained in this annual report
has been extracted from the audited statutory financial
report for the year ended 30 June 2017.
A copy of the full statutory accounts is available
upon request to MCWH.
INCOME FY 2016-17
EXPENSE DISTRIBUTION FY 2016-17
SUSTAINABILITY MCWH
FINANCIALS
Full-time Part-time Project
Multilingual health promotion
across Victoria
INCOMEFY 2016-17
MWHA national program for sexual
& reproductive health
ANROWS ASPIRE Project Eastern Health Cross-cultural training project WHAV officer
(auspiced)
1
2 3
4
5
6
78
Promoting services for gambling-
related harm
Dealing With it Myself Carers
Project
National Education Toolkit for FGM/C
Awareness
Other generated income
Women’s leadership and prevention of
violence against women
Department of Health & Human Services (Vic)
Commonwealth Department of Health
Other Projects
Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation
Commonwealth Department of Health
Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet
Other Income
Department of Premier & Cabinet
12345678
EXPENSEDISTRIBUTION
FY 2016-17
Salaries
GovernanceLegal & Compliance
Administration
Property Expenses
Program Costs
Office Equipment
Motor Vehicles
RISK APPETITE STATEMENT MCWH operates within a low overall risk range with the
lowest risk appetite relating to safety and compliance
objectives. This means that tolerance for activities and
programs that impact in a negative way on employee
& client health and wellbeing is set at zero. MCWH,
also has a zero tolerance risk appetite with regard to
compliance and legal issues, as this is a reflection
of MCWH’s good reputation and standing within the
community. Programs that potentially put clients and
staff at risk will not be pursued. Programs that have
potential reputational risk will not be pursued. MCWH
operates with a marginally higher risk appetite towards
its strategic and operational objectives where activities
and programs with some risk attached will be pursued.
Programs with a financial risk attached will only be
pursued where the potential loss attributable is less than
1% of total revenue in any one financial year.Casual
19 20
MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017 MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Dr Jasmin Chen
RESEARCH & EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT & “ASPIRE”
PROJECT OFFICER
Medina Idriess
FARREP WORKER
Maria Hach (to April 2017)Monique Hameed
NATIONAL TRAINING OFFICER
Rosi Aryal
“DEALING WITH IT MYSELF” PROJECT OFFICER
Dr Yue Gao
“GAMBLING AWARENESS” PROJECT OFFICER
Amira Rahmanovic
HEALTH EDUCATIONMANAGER
Matylda Buczko (to July 2017)
COMMUNICATIONSOFFICER
Zubaidah Shaburdin(to May 2017)
“NETFA” PROJECT OFFICER
MEMBERSHIP
ChairpersonRepa Patel
Deputy Chair Sandra Lordanic
Treasurer Nicole Spratt
MembersTamara Kwarteng (from May 2017)
Li Luo
Anna Moo
Catherine Ross(from April 2017)
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
Dr Adele Murdolo
EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR
Christina GeorgeBurmese, Karen
Elizabeth Mazeyko Spanish
Fadumo Mohamud Somali
Gagandeep Cheema Punjabi, Hindi
Ghezal ZaraDari, Farsi
Hanh Thi PhamVietnamese
He LiCantonese
Huda SabaArabic
Josephine PallettItalian
Kalleni ItuarteGreek
Malou LoganTagalog
Manasi Wagh-NikamHindi, Marathi
Marianna JerbicCroatian
May Alqas AliasArabic, Kurdish, Assyrian, Chaldean
Medina IdriessArabic, Tigre, Tigrigna
Razia AslamHazaragi, Urdu, Pashtu, Dari
Suong Nguyen-RobertsonVietnamese
Uma Rani Jagan MohanTamil
Victoria LolikaSudanese Arabic, Lotuka, Madi
Wafa IbrahimArabic
Yen Ney KimCantonese, Mandarin
Yanping XuCantonese, Mandarin
BHE TEAM
Dr Joyce Jiang
HEALTHPROMOTION
MANAGER
Mi Nguyen
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
Carmela Pitt
MULTILINGUAL RESOURCE COORDINATOR
Ozana Bozic
ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE OFFICER
Jiembra Sheils
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Dr Regina Quiazon
SENIOR POLICY & RESEARCH
ADVOCATE
This year we farewelled MCWH bilingual educators Razia Aslam,
Christina George, Malou Logan, Victoria Lolika, and Elizabeth Mazeyko.
We also farewelled MCWH staff members Matylda Buczko, Maria Hach,
and Zubaidah Shaburdin. These women have been such an important
part of our MCWH family and we are so grateful to have worked with
them all. We wish them all the best and look forward to celebrating
and supporting the future achievements of these amazing women.
Back cover: quotes taken from Health Education
Program evaluations 2016-17. Thank you to everyone
who has participated in our programs this year.
© Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health 2017
ABN: 48 188 616 970
Suite 207, Level 2, Carringbush Building,
134 Cambridge Street, Collingwood, VIC 3066
+613 9418 0999 or free call 1800 656 421
www.mcwh.com.au
MulticulturalCentreforWomensHealth
@mcwh1978
THE WOMENOF MCWH
MCWH was deeply
saddened by the passing
of Victorian Minister for
Women, Fiona Richardson
in August 2017. We will
remember her fearless
advocacy for women
across Victoria and honour
her legacy in our work.
21 22
MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017 MCWH ANNUAL REPORT 2017
MANY TIMES WHEN PRESCRIBED MEDICATION BY MY GP, I WOULD STOP USING THEM HALF WAY THROUGH AS SOON AS
I FEEL THE SYMPTOMS ARE DECREASED. FROM NOW ON I WILL NEVER DO THAT AND I WILL COMPLETE THE MEDICINE AS
PRESCRIBED. THE SESSION PROVIDED ME WITH IMPORTANT INFORMATION. I THINK WE NEED TO CHANGE THE WAY WE
THINK AND TALK MORE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND CONFRONT PROBLEMS, NOT AVOID TO TALK ABOUT THEM WILL NOT
MAKE PROBLEMS GO AWAY. WE ALL BENEFITED FROM SHARING EXPERIENCES ON HOW WE CAN MANAGE STRESS LEVELS.
THE SESSION HAS GIVEN ME THE CONFIDENCE TO CHOOSE THE CONTRACEPTIVE METHOD THAT SUITS ME BETTER. I AM NOW
CONFIDENT TO GO AND SEE A GP TO DISCUSS WITH HIM MY SITUATION. AFTER RECEIVING THESE VALUABLE INFORMATION
OF TODAY’S SESSION I WILL MAKE SURE TO DO PAP TEST AND BREAST SCREEN REGULARLY, AS EARLY DETECTION COULD SAVE
MY LIFE. AFTER ALL THIS INFORMATION WE GOT FROM TODAY’S SESSION, I HAVE CONFIDENCE TO TALK WITH MY FRIEND WHO
HAS A PROBLEM DRINKING TO MAKE HER AWARE ABOUT THE HARM ALCOHOL COULD MAKE ON OUR HEALTH. I HAD HIGH
LEVEL OF SUGAR DURING PREGNANCY, BUT I NEVER KNEW THAT IT INCREASES THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING TYPE 2 DIABETES
LATER ON, I THINK I SHOULD TALK WITH MY DOCTOR TO CHECK MY BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL FREQUENTLY AS I AM NOW OVER
45 YEARS OLD. THE SESSION HAS GIVEN ME VALUABLE INFORMATION ABOUT CONTRACEPTION AND WHAT ARE THE CONS
AND PROS OF EACH METHOD. HAVING THE KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION TO PROTECT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY IS MUCH
BETTER THAN CLOSING MY EYES AND DENYING THE DANGER. FACING THE ISSUE OF ABUSE IS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE
VIOLENCE CIRCLE. TODAY’S SESSION HAS GIVEN ME VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE SEXUAL TRANSMITTED
INFECTION AND HOW TO PREVENT OURSELVES FROM IT BY DOING SAFER SEX, I WILL SHARE ALL TODAY’S INFORMATION WITH
MY DAUGHTERS AND FRIENDS. MY MOTHER-IN-LAW HAS THE HOT FLUSHES AND SHE ALWAYS COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT. NOW
I HAVE MORE CONFIDENT TO LET HER KNOW THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE MENOPAUSE. I WILL SHARE ALL INFORMATION WE
TALKED ABOUT TODAY WITH HER TO HELP HER IN THIS ISSUE. THIS SESSION HAS INCREASED OUR AWARENESS OF BLOOD
PRESSURE OUTCOMES AND IT WAS BETTER THAN THE GP JUST TELLING YOU ‘YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE IS FINE’ WITHOUT
TELLING US THE NUMBER. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I GAINED FROM THE SESSION WAS THAT I HAVE A RIGHT TO REQUEST
AN INTERPRETER DURING MY MEDICAL APPOINTMENT. BECAUSE IT IS VERY HARD FOR US TO FIND A GP WHO CAN SPEAK OUR
LANGUAGE. I HAVE THE CONFIDENCE NOW TO ACCESS ALL THE RELEVANT SERVICES IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS. MOREOVER,
I LEARNED THAT ALL INFORMATION ARE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL IN THIS HEALTH SYSTEM. AFTER LEARNING THE RELAXATION
STRATEGIES, I WILL TRY TO PRACTICE THEM, AND GIVE MYSELF A BREAK, HAVE A REST WHEN I FEEL OVERWHELMED, STAND FOR
MYSELF AND AVOID ANYTHING THAT COULD AFFECT MY MENTAL HEALTH IN A NEGATIVE WAY. AFTER THE SESSION, I HAVE THE
CONFIDENCE TO DO A BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO PRACTICE IT ON A BREAST MODEL
AND LEARNED HOW TO LOOK OR HOW TO FEEL THE LUMP. I REALISED THAT I ACTUALLY CAN MANAGE MY BONE HEALTH EVEN
THOUGH I AM GETTING OLD. AFTER RECEIVING THESE INFORMATION, I WOULD CHOOSE TO GET THE RELEVANT SERVICES AND
SUPPORT IN ORDER TO PROTECT MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF. AFTER THE SESSION ON MENSTRUATION, I KNOW THAT PERIOD
IS JUST A PART OF NORMAL LIFE FOR WOMEN. NOW I FEEL MUCH RELIEF AND LESS STRESS ABOUT IT. I NEVER THOUGHT I
WOULD ATTEND A SESSION ABOUT STIS, BECAUSE I THOUGHT THIS IS AGAINST OUR CULTURE. BUT AFTER TODAY, I THINK
THE STIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US, IN PARTICULAR IN AUSTRALIA SINCE OUR CHILDREN WILL GROWTH UP HERE. I THINK
THE DISCUSSION OF STIS HAS BENEFITED US A LOT AND I WILL BE SURE TO SHARE THE INFORMATION WITH MY FAMILY AND
FRIENDS. AFTER THE SESSION, I HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONTRACEPTION. TIMING THE OVULATION IS NOT A
GUARANTEED WAY TO PREVENT PREGNANCY. I WILL CONSULT MY GP AND ASK HIM THE BEST CONTRACEPTIVE METHOD FOR
ME. I HAD NO IDEA THAT DETECTING CANCER IN EARLY STAGE COULD RAISE THE SURVIVAL RATE IN BREAST CANCER TO 90%.
FROM TODAY, I WILL TRY TO GET ENOUGH CALCIUM FROM MY DIET. I DO NOT REALLY LIKE MILK AND CHEESE, BUT FACILITATOR
SAID THAT TOFU, OKRA, BROCCOLI, BOOK CHOY HAVE CALCIUM TOO. THESE ARE MORE SUITABLE TO USE IN OUR COOKING.
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