Feature Event

Forum on Australia's role in achieving Millennium Development Goal 5 – Improving Maternal Health

DATE: Tuesday, 13 March
TIME: 7.00 - 9.00pm
WHERE: Schools Hospitality Area, Parliament House, Canberra

This year, nearly 137,000 women have died in our Asia-Pacific region because of a lack of access to safe reproductive and maternal health services. Right across the developing world, pregnancy is the biggest killer of girls aged 15-19 years. Their deaths are preventable, and access to contraception and safe reproductive healthcare alone could reduce maternal deaths by up to 70%.

A recent study conducted by the World Health Organisation and the Guttmacher Institute has shown that despite progress in scaling up efforts for family planning, unsafe abortion is increasing and contraceptive use is stagnating.

Unmet need for contraceptive access amongst girls and younger women remains an urgent problem. When young women cannot access contraception, the effectiveness of key aid investments - especially in girls' education – is seriously undermined. Yet Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 remains the most off-track of all MDGs. Adequate attention and investment in what works must remain a priority for Australia.

We invite you to a forum on Australia's role in meeting these challenges. The forum will provide an opportunity to discuss how we can work together to save lives, using Papua New Guinea as a case study. Meet with special guests, including Dame Carol Kidu and Belinda Bowling, PNG Country Director for Marie Stopes International.

We have the power to make a difference. Please join us to learn about what you can do.

RSVP to Chris Barry, Policy and Learning Intern, Plan Australia on 03 9672 3608 or chris.barry@plan.org.au

Jean Hailes for Women’s Health in partnership with the Women’s Centre for Health Matters and Sexual Health & Family Planning ACT presents Sex, Health & Your Life: What women 40+ should know

Presenters:
Lisa Westlake, Physiotherapist & Fitness Instructor:
"Staying active, inside and out"
This session will help you to focus on what you CAN do, not what you can't!

• Improve your fitness, boost your mood, wellbeing and energy for life
• Learn to understand your pelvic floor, core posture and bone strength

Maureen Matthews, Sex Educator, Columnist & Business Woman:
"The time of your life – women’s sexuality after 40"

• Sex, libido & desire
• The sexual adventures of the confident older women, and how to enjoy them

Keep a Check on your Health
• A local Canberra women’s health expert will discuss staying well and the crucial health checks for women 40+

Date: Wednesday 7th March 2012
Afternoon event* 12.30pm – 3.00pm
Evening event* 6.30pm – 9.00pm
*same presentations, different times
Cost: FREE
Venue: Reception Room, ACT Legislative Assembly, Civic Square, Canberra
Resource packs, health information stalls & refreshments provided RSVP essential. Limited seats available, book now to save your place!
Register with the Women’s Centre for Health Matters by phone:
(02) 6290 2166 or email: admin@wchm.org.au

Celebrate with VIEW members, VIEW National President Lorraine Montgomery, The Smith Family CEO Dr Lisa O’Brien and special guest speakers the Hon. Pru Goward MP, Minister for Women & the Hon. Shelley Hancock MP, Speaker of Legislative Assembly NSW

How would you spend $365b?

You’re invited to a training workshop to help your women’s organisation:

• Write an effective Federal Budget submission
• Run a rocking public campaign supporting your submission

And best of all, it’s FREE!