#EndGenderBias survey
The National Women’s Health Advisory Council conducted the #EndGenderBias survey to hear from women, along with experts, health care professionals, consumer representatives and peak stakeholder groups, to better understand the unique barriers and gender bias women face in Australia’s healthcare system.
The survey closed on 13 October 2023.
The council will use the survey findings to help inform its advice to government on addressing gender bias in the health system. We expect the survey results will be available in the first half of 2024.
Our role
The National Women's Health Advisory Council provides strategic advice to government on improving Australia's health system for women and girls. The council aims to provide a better, more targeted healthcare system for Australian women and girls, and ensure it is culturally safe and appropriate.
The council has established subcommittees to look at gender bias in the health system across four focus areas: access, care and outcomes; empowerment; research; and safety.
The council also provides advice and recommendations on implementation of the National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030.
Our work
Growing evidence has shown systemic issues in healthcare delivery and medical research mean women often suffer poorer health results. Women disproportionately experience delayed diagnosis, overprescribing, and a failure to properly investigate symptoms.
To better understand the barriers and bias that women face in Australia’s health system the council is asking women, girls, and people assigned female at birth, along with researchers, healthcare professionals, consumer representatives and peak stakeholder groups, to share their views in a #EndGenderBias survey.
The #EndGenderBias survey is available in 17 different languages, including English.
We invite you to share your experiences of the Australia’s healthcare system. If you (or someone you care for) have experienced access barriers or gender bias as a woman, complete the survey by 13 October 2023 to help #EndGenderBias.
Who is on the council
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Ged Kearney MP chairs the council.
The council consists of representatives from a diverse mix of peak stakeholder organisations, consumer groups, academia, and medical and professional bodies.
National Women’s Health Strategy
One of the council’s main roles is to guide implementation of the National Women’s Health Strategy 2020‑2030.
The strategy outlines Australia's national approach to improving the health of women and girls - particularly those at greatest risk of poor health - and to reducing inequities between different groups
The five identified priority areas are:
- maternal, sexual and reproductive health
- healthy ageing
- chronic conditions and preventative health
- mental health
- health impacts of violence against women and girls.