International Women’s Day is a valuable opportunity each year to reflect on the entrenched inequities and injustices faced by women and on the ramifications for the work we do in the mental health sector.
The theme this year is ‘Balance the Scales’ - a promise that every woman and girl, regardless of background or identity, should be safe, heard, and free to shape her own future.
Gender based violence remains widespread and persistent structural and cultural barriers continue to block access to equity and justice.
Older women are particularly vulnerable to rent stress and homelessness, after lifetimes of working for less money than their male counterparts, working fewer hours, or sacrificing work for caring responsibilities. This makes the work of providing and advocating for supported social housing so important – stable housing is a primary foundation for safety and for rebuilding a life.
Sadly, having a home is no guarantee of safety, with so many women facing domestic violence. This is where community-based psychosocial services like Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals, Medicare Mental Health and Wellbeing Centres and Early Intervention Psychosocial Support Response services can play a profound role. They provide fast access to the counselling, life skills and employment pathways that can increase women’s autonomy and choices for safety. Mind Australia and One Door Mental Health are so proud to be delivering these across various Australian states.
Equally, our commitment to lived experience has vital implications for women – strengthening their confidence that they can speak their truth and that they will be listened to and heard.
There is much to do to ‘balance the scales’, but within our sector many of the pathways for making a difference are clear and we are taking them, through advocacy and service delivery. We will continue to do so with commitment and pride.