Reports

Violence is one of the most significant drivers of poor health for women in the ACT. Our new evidence paper brings together local survey data and national research to document the real, measurable impact that experiences of violence have on women’s physical and mental health, and on their ability to access care. The findings highlight important disparities: survivors are almost twice as likely to rate their health poorly, 26 percentage points more likely to have a mental health diagnosis, and more likely to face financial and structural barriers to getting the support they need. The data also points to an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between survivors and healthcare providers, with over half of survivors feeling they were not fully heard during consultations.

This research is intended to inform policy, advocacy, and services across the ACT. The evidence points to the importance of care that understands violence and trauma, is financially accessible, and is centered on trust and dignity. We invite you to read the full paper and consider how the ACT can improve equitable, compassionate healthcare for women in our community.

Our 2023 and 2025 Surveys of Women’s Health in the ACT reveal a stark picture of the barriers women face in finding and acting on reliable health information. The survey data shows that while women are highly proactive in seeking health information, two interconnected crises are getting in the way: a crisis of affordability and access, and a crisis of trust and dignity of care. Key findings include that 49% of women say they only visit a doctor when there is no other option, 20% rate their GP access as poor, and 45% report feeling not fully taken seriously by their healthcare providers, pushing many toward unverified online sources instead.

These findings are intended to inform how the ACT Government, health services, and community organisations invest in health information and navigation support for women. The survey data points away from a one-size-fits-all approach and toward targeted, trusted, and community-connected solutions, particularly for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds, women with disabilities, and those managing conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, and menopause. We invite you to read the full report and consider how the ACT can better support all women to access the health information and care they deserve.

The second Survey of Women’s Health in the ACT report highlights key health and wellbeing issues experienced by women in the ACT, identifying areas where service provision or policy could be changed to improve outcomes, as well as the social factors that impact women’s health and wellbeing. The survey was undertaken with dedicated funding from the Snow Foundation as well as ongoing support from ACT Government, with the aim of learning about the health needs and experiences of women and femme-identifying people in the ACT. 

Between November 2022 and February 2023, Women’s Health Matters conducted a major survey of women’s health and wellbeing in the ACT, asking about experiences with health and health services, mental health, sexual and reproductive health, pregnancy and parenting, discrimination, violence and safety. In total, we collected valid responses from 1668 people.

The findings of the survey will be used to make the state of women’s health and wellbeing in the ACT visible through high quality data, enabling Women’s Health Matters and our community partners to advocate for gender responsive health and wellbeing services for all ACT women.

This report presents a summary description of the survey results.

Transcript of presentation report on the Survey of Women’s Health in the ACT

Highlight report on the Survey of Women’s Health in the ACT

Presentation report on the ACT Survey of Women’s Health

Report on the Survey of Women’s Health in the ACT (Appendix)

Report on the Survey of Women’s Health in the ACT (Appendix) (in Rich Text Format)

Women’s Health Matters conducted survey, focus group and interview research on the experiences of people who have had difficulties getting pregnant or becoming a parent, to inform policy and legislative development on Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) in the ACT.

This report explores the factors that people considered in deciding whether to use ART, issues of cost and support, and experiences of pregnancy loss. It describes people’s needs for holistic, person-centered care, information and evidence-based treatment, equality and access, particularly for LGBTIQ+ people and single people.