Rights, justice, action: AMA calls for a fairer health system for all women and girls

AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said this year’s United Nations theme — Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls — underscores the urgent need for structural reform to ensure women can access safe, affordable, and culturally appropriate healthcare at every stage of their lives.

“Women in Australia continue to face unacceptable barriers to care — from reproductive healthcare and menopause support, to access to appropriate investigations and inequities in medical research,” Dr McMullen said. “Too many women and girls in Australia still experience discrimination and inequitable access to healthcare. Despite recent government investment, reproductive healthcare is still out of reach for many, particularly in rural and remote communities, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women continue to face unacceptable health disparities.

“Gender‑based violence remains widespread and affects the health of women and families across Australia.

“Women’s autonomy and safety depend on access to timely, affordable, high‑quality healthcare. These rights are fundamental — not optional — and they must be protected.”

The AMA’s position statement on women’s health highlights several key areas requiring attention, including:

• Improved access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, particularly in rural and remote communities.
• A coordinated national approach to perimenopause and menopause care, ensuring women receive timely diagnosis, evidence‑based treatment, and workplace support.
• Stronger health system responses to domestic and family violence, including better training for clinicians and sustainable funding for frontline services.
• Closing the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, who continue to experience significantly poorer health outcomes due to systemic inequity and racism.
• Gender‑inclusive medical research, addressing long‑standing under‑representation of women in clinical trials and data collection.

Dr McMullen said while progress has been made, Australia must go further.

“Women deserve a health system that recognises their needs across every stage of life,” Dr McMullen said. “Women’s health is not a niche issue — it is a national priority. When women can access the care they need, when they need it, the whole community benefits.

“This International Women’s Day, we’re calling on governments, health leaders, and communities to join us in taking real action. We acknowledge the important steps the government took last year to strengthen women’s health, and we welcome that progress — but there is still much more to do. Women’s health cannot wait.”