Australian Indigenous

Conference abstracts and papers

12th National Health Promotion Conference: Inequalities in health - reflecting back, stepping forward.
29 October - 1 November 2000, Hotel Sofitel, Melbourne, Victoria.

Natasha Moshinsky, Karen Steenbergen, Lisa Lopes, Patricia Adams, Heather Pritchard, Kathryn Watson and Stephanie Mavrodoglos
Boroondara Women's Health Project: 'Finding a Balance'.

The project's objectives were to empower women through the provision of information and skill based workshops; to make more informed health and lifestyle decisions. The project was developed by the Women's Health Working Group, comprising the city of Boroondara, Women's Health East, Hawthorn Community Mental Health Services, Inner East Community Health Service, St Vincent's BreastScreen, and the Inner Eastern Melbourne Division of General Practice.

The project targeted women in the 40-60 year age group in Boroondara. This group was identified by the Eastern Region Women's Health. Consultation, (ERWHC) Issues Paper as experiencing significant life stress.

A detailed quantitative needs analysis was conducted to gain an understanding of the issues affecting this group. It also intended to provide women with an opportunity to state their needs and the most effective way to address these needs. The needs analysis found that many women were struggling to find a balance in life while juggling multiple roles. Many women said they had no time to look after themselves and that most of their energy was directed towards caring for others while still participating in the paid and unpaid workforce. Women reported that they felt stressed and burnt out and in need of a healthier lifestyle

These findings resulted in the development of an information seminar, 'Finding a balance: juggling family, relationships, work and personal needs' held in November 1999. This was viewed as the most appropriate method of delivering information, according to the women surveyed. A huge number stated how relevant the seminar was for them, and how they would like to explore these issues in more detail. This led to the development of a workshop series, 'Finding a balance: the next step" held in May 2000. The workshops focused on the topics exploring relationships, becoming more assertive, and managing stress. Issues such as relationship roles, communication skills and confidence, identifying signs of stress and strategies to promote wellbeing were discussed in small groups. There was an overwhelming response from women in the community to both the seminar and workshop programs.

Both programs were developed using a community development framework that concentrated on collaboration at both the service and consumer level. By using a woman centred approach, the program aimed to provide a more equitable and accessible health resource for women. This was achieved through providing relevant information in an accessible format as identified by the target group. This has also strengthened ties within the service sector leading to a more integrated approach to developing health promotion programs.

Both programs adopted a feminist perspective and concentrated on a psychosocial view of health. In doing so it recognised the influence that gender inequality and stereotypes have on the female experience and acknowledged the many factors that contribute to the wellbeing of women. The project sought to address these inequalities and health determinants through increasing women's skill and knowledge base in order for them to manage their emotional and physical health more proactively and effectively.

The evaluation of both programs found that women were extremely enthusiastic and appreciative of being able to explore these issues in a secure place. It was found that humour and a sense of sameness bound women together, with many women stating that they felt confident in taking the next step towards a more balanced and happy life.

Last updated: 5 October, 2001