A Women's Health Strategy

A Women's Health Strategy ...by women for women

April 2023 update The Health Consumer Advocacy Alliance made a substantial written submission on the women's health stratgey. You can read it here...
  • The announcement by the Government in April that a Women’s Health Strategy would be implemented under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) legislation, was a pivotal moment of 2022. This announcement was a positive step forward, and we are excited that women’s health is being recognised as a key priority.
  • Over the past five years, a diverse range of health advocates have presented more than 40 petitions to parliament, calling for changes or improvements to aspects of women’s health. These advocates often have lived experience of harm, and have extensive knowledge about what needs improving and of the struggles women are facing today.

  • It is not enough to just say we are going to have a Women’s Health Strategy; how this is done is as important as it being done. It is important to work closely with women to identify:
December 2022 Update Consumer Advocacy Alliance met with Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall on the 13th of December 2022 to discuss the women’s health strategy, one of the guiding documents for the new health system under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act. We emphasised the need for consumers to be involved in co-design; to have a seat at the table!
  • barriers they face in accessing quality, affordable, available and culturally appropriate health care;
  • their concerns regarding the quality of health information provided to them and ability to make informed decisions;
  • issues associated with harm from health care and the way in which this is responded to by health entities, including Government agencies; and
  • their changing health care needs through the course of their lives, not just focussing on reproductive health and fertility.
We are asking our Government and the Ministry of Health to involve women health consumers at ground level in the development of the Women’s Health Strategy, We believe that setting key priorities to address current inequities that would improve healthcare for women must be done in co-design with consumers. Women and experienced health advocates deserve more than just being ‘consulted’; they need to be part of the solution. The Consumer Advocacy Alliance was formed to ensure we have a collective voice. We believe an independent, thorough investigation to assess the current state of health outcomes and health needs for women, and the performance of the health sector in relation to women is vital to inform the development of the women’s health strategy. Ongoing engagement with wāhine is important, and regular monitoring and review of all health strategies to determine if the health sector is indeed performing against the health strategy key performance indicators is essential. Adopting this strategy is a chance to rebuild trust and transform the health system to truly protect and support the wellbeing of all wāhine. This is a significant moment for Aotearoa New Zealand; enhancing women’s health will benefit all New Zealanders and we want to be part of creating the solution.