International Women’s Day 2025: #AccelerateAction for Women’s Health
By Dr. Kelly Needham
As we approach International Women’s Day 2025, I am reflecting on this year’s theme: #AccelerateAction. This theme is a powerful call to action, urging us all to work more decisively and with greater urgency to overcome gender inequality. It emphasises the need to not only acknowledge the systemic barriers that hold women back but to actively challenge and dismantle these obstacles—particularly in areas like women’s health care.
The importance of this year’s theme cannot be overstated. Gender inequality has been deeply ingrained in many parts of our society, and while progress has been made, it often happens too slowly.
We’ve seen small victories here and there, but the pace at which we are accelerating change is still not enough. #AccelerateAction calls for us to double down on our efforts to break down the barriers that prevent women from having equal access to resources, support, and opportunities.
One area where the call for action is particularly urgent is women’s healthcare. Over time, the infrastructure supporting women’s health has been quietly eroded, often going unnoticed until the cracks become too large to ignore.
As a healthcare provider, I see the effects of this erosion every day, from the lack of funding for women’s health programmes to the under-resourcing of critical services (like maternity services) at our hospitals.
Recently, Dr. Peta Skilbeck has been a leading advocate, shedding light on some of the most concerning issues in our healthcare system. Her recent work surrounding the closure of Gosford Private Hospital has brought to the forefront just how much the system has failed to prioritise women’s health. Gosford Private, once a vital service, is now closing its doors, and many of its patients are left in a state of uncertainty.
This is just one example of the larger trend of under-resourced women’s health departments, particularly in public hospitals across NSW.
This crisis has had ripple effects on the ability of women to access critical care—especially in areas such as reproductive health, menopause care, and cancer treatment. While these issues have been slow to garner widespread attention, the impact on women’s lives is undeniable.
Despite these challenges, there is a beacon of hope that has emerged over the past year. The release of The M Factor has been a pivotal moment in raising awareness of menopause—an area that has been largely ignored for far too long. Menopause, a natural and inevitable stage in every woman’s life, has long been stigmatized and downplayed in conversations about women’s health.
The M Factor, a film that explores the experiences of women going through menopause, has finally put this important issue in the spotlight. Through this initiative, we are seeing a shift in the conversation about menopause, bringing more visibility to the struggles that women face during this time. It’s helping break down the stigma and opening up dialogue on how we can better support women as they transition through menopause.
As we #AccelerateAction, it is essential that we keep the momentum going. By speaking openly about menopause, supporting organisations and programmes focused on women’s health, and advocating for better healthcare access, we can start to make real progress.
Gender equality in healthcare is not just a lofty ideal—it is essential for the wellbeing of women everywhere. As advocates for women’s health, we must ensure that the healthcare system acknowledges the unique challenges women face. Whether it’s menopause, reproductive health, or mental wellness, these areas must not be overlooked or underfunded.
At The M Clinic, we are proud to be part of the movement to raise awareness of menopause and provide the much-needed support to women going through this stage of life. But, we know this is just the beginning. The healthcare system must do more to support every woman, every stage of life, and every need.
On that note, some colleagues and I have come together to combine our expertise and will be announcing a women’s health event on the Central Coast later on in May this year – stay tuned for updates!
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, let’s remember that #AccelerateAction means more than just talking about change. It’s about making decisive actions to address the disparities in women’s healthcare.
Together, we can support initiatives that provide better care for women, break down the stigma surrounding women’s health issues, and advocate for systemic change.
As a doctor and advocate for women’s health, I am committed to supporting you, my patients, and my community in ensuring we all have access to the best care possible. Let’s keep pushing forward, together, because when women thrive, we all thrive.
With care and commitment,
Dr. Kelly Needham
Founder, Coastal Goddess & The M Clinic 🌸
#InternationalWomensDay #AccelerateAction #WomensHealth #TheMFactor #MenopauseAwareness #GenderEquality #CoastalGoddess #TheMClinic
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Our mission is to build lasting, personal relationships, guiding you to achieve your feminine health goals with expertise, care, and support.
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