Empowering girls and women in settings where their sexual and reproductive health rights are respected and upheld

Improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes for women and girls is a health promotion priority for Women’s Health Goulburn North East, particularly for those who are most vulnerable.

This includes supporting women and girls to make empowered decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and creating environments where women’s rights are respected and upheld.

Our key objectives by 2017 are:

• In partnership with key stakeholders, create and facilitate a sexual and reproductive health plan for young people that improves access to sexual and reproductive health care and services in the Hume Region by 2017
• Undertake and support research to inform primary prevention responses promoting sexual and reproductive health and inform advocacy strategies to advance women’s health rights and gender equity
• Inspire and build capacity in Hume region communities to promote change in gender norms and safe and respectful sexual and reproductive health beliefs and practices.

Improving outcomes for rural women and young people

A regional plan informed by young people 2013-2017

In partnership with key stakeholders across Hume Region, WHGNE led the development of an evidence based regional sexual and reproductive health plan for young people. Broad organisational representation and consultation with diverse groups of regional youth and professionals assisted the development of an action based plan based on the range of factors influencing sexual and reproductive health.

Core components and ACTIONS in the regional plan 2014-2017
File Size 538KB

Sexual Reproductive Health Health Directory
File Size 213KB

Sexual Reproductive Health Service Guide
File Size 142KB

Young Person’s Toolkit (YPT)

Mobile phone App and Facebook page developed by two young men in partnership with regional organisations and young people to improve access to information, resources and services promoting youth health and wellbeing.

About the YPT and how to link your services
File Size 482KB

Sexuality and Relationships Education Forum 2015

Planned with regional Department of Education and Training staff, the forum provided professionals working with children and young people in schools and community with information and resources supporting best practice sexuality and relationships education.

Presentations, Case Studies and Resources

Jo Hatcher - YACVic
Young People and Sexual Health in Rural and Regional Victoria
File Size 78KB

Fred Clarke - Northern Bay College
Whole School Sexuality Education
File Size 3308KB

Nicole Commerford & Paul Volkering  - Mansfield Primary School
School Led Sexuality Education
File Size 398KB

Damien Stevens, Anna Diktakis & Georgina Poort - Kildonan Uniting Care
Inclusive Sexuality Education: Schools & Community
Case Study File Size 377KB | Presentation File Size 871KB

Undertake and Support research

Along with other evidence and data, The Hume Region Women's Access to Family Planning Services 2012 has assisted Women’s Health Goulburn North East with the planning of primary prevention strategies to promote women’s sexual and reproductive health in our region. Read the report

Other work planned aims to develop knowledge to inform primary prevention strategies in specific rural settings and to create evidence based resources to support rural sexual and reproductive health promotion.

Youth Engagement

• Survey for Young People (use all or some of the pages at your discretion based on setting and age group)
• What’s most important triggers
• Sexually healthy graffiti boards
• Sexual health trigger words

Youth Consultation

Over 400 young people told us what issues affect their sexual health in Hume region and what they think is needed to improve outcomes.

Read More in the summary report
File Size 2.1MB

Fact Sheet: Key messages from rural young people
File Size 417KB

Specialist Clinics: Sexual and Reproductive Health Guide
File Size 121KB

Data and Research

• Data snapshot
• Sexual Reproductive Health Policy Scan, 2013