Principles of Women's Health

The Hunter Women's Centre subscribes to the principles of Women's Health Care (2006) held in common by the non-government women's health sector, under the peak body Women's Health NSW. In accordance with these principles, feminist women's health centres provide a service that:

1. Encompasses all of women's life spans, and reflects women's various roles in Australia society, not just their    reproductive role.
2. Promotes the participation of women in debate and decision making about health issues, their own health care, health service policy, planning, delivery and evaluation.
3. Recognises women's rights as health care consumers, to be treated with dignity, in an environment which provides for privacy, informed consent, confidentiality and safety.
4. Acknowledges that informed decisions about health and health care require accessible information, which is appropriately targeted for different socio-economic, educational and cultural groups.
5. Uses existing data, research and policy concerning women's health, as well as incorporating women's views about their own health and the best strategies to address their health needs, in service planning and development.
6. Provides appropriate women's health care to women in local communities, within a state-wide, coordinated approach.
7. Ensures equity and accessibility of services without financial, cultural, geographic and/or other barriers.
8. Ensures effective community management and operation of women's health centres by women, for women.
9. Provides a broad range of services and strategies within a preventative and holistic framework, which:
   • Is provided by women, for women
   • Values women's own knowledge and experience
   • Facilitates the sharing of women's skills, knowledge and experience
   • Links women's individual experience and health needs to the social and cultural context of women's lives
   • Empowers women
   • Challenges sex-role stereotyping, gender discrimination, racism and homophobia which affect health
   • Increase the accessibility, sensitivity and acceptability of health services for women
   • Relates to identified health priorities at the local and state level.