Women and Girls' Health Plan welcomed by union

The announcement of the Queensland Government’s Women and Girls’ Health Plan has been welcomed by the Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT).

IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said the government’s historic investment in women’s health care was particularly welcome in an area that has been underfunded and ignored for too long.

“As a union representing over 17,000 workers, 75% of whom are female, we commend this important new initiative which sets an example other governments should follow,” Burke said.

“Of the 10,000 women who completed the Queensland Women and Girls’ Health Survey, more than half said they had felt dismissed in a healthcare setting. This is completely unacceptable.

“Our union welcomes extended support provided to women and girls in the form of more free women-focused care, better care for conditions like endometriosis, access to reproductive care and easier access to maternal health care.

“75% of our union’s membership base are women, and education and childcare remain highly feminised professions.

“As a result, we are acutely aware of the many challenges faced by women when trying to access adequate health care. The new funding will help address critical issues raised by our members.

“Our members cannot undertake their critical roles within schools and childcare centres if their health and wellbeing is not first prioritised.

“The government must acknowledge this and provide adequate funding to ensure we have a new generation of enthusiastic and well-prepared teachers,” Burke said.

Image credit: iStock.com/ljubaphoto