A landmark report by Gippsland Women’s Health (GWH), The Healthy Women Healthy Gippsland – The State of Women’s Health and Safety in Gippsland 2025 Report Card, has found that Gippsland women and gender diverse people face significantly poorer health and safety outcomes than Victorian averages – from higher cancer deaths and record rates of family violence to barriers in accessing care, late or misdiagnoses and systemic barriers in service access. These inequities are made
worse by geographic isolation, gendered norms and structures at home, in the workplace and in the community.
Informed by more than 200 women’s voices and supporting statistics, the Healthy Women Healthy Gippsland (HWHG) report tells the story of women and gender diverse people’s health and safety in the region.
Across all six Gippsland LGAs, women reported barriers to healthcare, including long travel times, a lack of local services and continuity of care and medical misogyny including having their symptoms frequently dismissed or misdiagnosed. Four out of five women surveyed leave the region for healthcare, particularly for women’s health issues.
Climate change and related disasters amplify these existing issues, disproportionately affecting those in caregiving roles and female-dominated industries like healthcare. Disaster recovery periods often see spikes in family violence, further compounding vulnerability.
The energy transition will also bring surge workforces – predominantly male – into the region, straining housing, health, and social services. Without inclusive planning, this can exacerbate gendered violence and economic challenges, particularly for women from marginalised communities.
Victorian Government-funded women’s health initiatives (including the Mobile Women’s Health Clinic, the Virtual Women’s Health Clinic, sexual reproductive health (SRH) hubs and the new multidisciplinary women’s clinic at Latrobe Regional Hospital) as well as mental health investments (such as the Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals and Mental Health Connect services) are showing signs of success but further work is required to connect women with these important initiatives.
Gippsland Women’s Health chief executive officer, Kate Graham, said the report highlights both the urgency and opportunity for change.
“This report is a call to action. Gippsland women and gender diverse people are telling us that access to quality healthcare is a daily challenge that is impacting not just their physical health, but their mental wellbeing and safety,” she said.
“HWHG 2025 provides a clear roadmap for stakeholders across all levels of government, health services, and regional organisations to work collaboratively toward a more equitable, inclusive, and healthy Gippsland. The recommendations outlined call for sustained investment, gender-responsive planning, and a commitment to systemic change.
“By embedding gender equity into health, safety, climate adaptation, economic participation, and regional development, Gippsland can lead the way in creating a region where all people, regardless of gender, can thrive.
“Through partnerships and community-led initiatives, we can change this story.”
The full report card is now available.
