Victorian Government to support creation of safe access zones for abortion clinics

News

1 September 2015

The Human Rights Law Centre welcomes the news that the Victorian Government will back the creation of safe access zones to ensure women can safely and privately access health services without being harassed or intimidated.

The HRLC’s Director of Advocacy and Research, Emily Howie, said safe access zones are about respecting the privacy and dignity of women accessing terminations.

“This is a very positive development. For too long women have been subjected to abuse and intimidation when exercising their right to access legal health services,” said Ms Howie.

The announcement follows last week’s failed attempt in the Supreme Court to compel the City of Melbourne to take adequate steps to ensure women could safely access a fertility clinic in East Melbourne.

Ms Howie said safe access zones are a sensible and practical solution that can strike a healthy balance between the right to freedom of expression and the rights privacy, security and healthcare.

“No one is suggesting that people should be prevented from expressing their opinions, we’re just asking that they do so in a way that respects women’s rights to privacy, security and access to healthcare,” said Ms Howie.

In 2013 Tasmania introduced access zones around clinics in which terminations are conducted. Similar zones also exist in the United States and Canada. The ACT government has also released an exposure draft of a bill to create patient privacy zones that support women’s rights to access health services privately and free from intimidating conduct. 

In August 2015, Victorian Sex Party MP Fiona Patten introduced a bill to amend the Public Health and Wellbeing Act and create safe access zones in Victoria. The bill received considerable support from the Victorian Greens, Trades Hall, the Australian Medical Association, Women’s Health Victoria and many other groups. The government now proposes to introduce a bill in similar form, albeit with some amendments.

“This is a great example of MPs from various political persuasions working together to find sensible and practical ways to stand up for women’s rights. Well done to all involved,” said Ms Howie.

The Human Rights Law Centre will continue to provide assistance regarding the details of the proposed bill.

Have your say about Lifelong economic wellbeing for women in Australia From 29th September until mid November, eS4W is encouraging all women to have their say about their lifelong economic wellbeing. eS4W is seeking women’s views on their economic empowerment; their ability to cope with changing conditions in the economy; their participation in paid work and their income in later life into retirement. Economic empowerment eS4W is exploring the capacity of women in Australia to participate in, contribute to and benefit from growth processes in ways that recognise the value of their contributions, respect their dignity and make it possible to negotiate a fairer distribution of the benefits of growth. Economic empowerment increases women’s access to economic resources and opportunities including jobs, financial services, property and other productive assets, skills development and market information. Please participate and promote the online survey eS4W is inviting all women in Australia, young and not so young, to the online survey. Please promote it in your newsletters; at your meetings; on your website, facebook and Twitter. Click the button below for the online survey.

Online survey

30 September 2015 – WHO World Report on Ageing and Health

On behalf of the Secretary General of the IFA, I am writing to inform you that the World Health Organization (WHO) has just launched the World Report on Ageing and Health.  For the first time in this 260 paged report, evidence on a global basis has been comprehensively and carefully analysed to inform a new paradigm on healthy ageing, where a person is not defined nor stereotyped by a specific level of functioning or health.

The IFA urges all stakeholders, across sectors and across disciplines, to stand behind this ground breaking report and help connect and create networks to drive innovation and change toward sustainable and purposeful outcomes for future generations.  The underlying principles of human rights, equity and non-discrimination and social cohesion between generations are the foundation stones for the future WHO Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health.

The Older Persons Legal Service provides free legal advice and assistance for older people in a range of areas of law 1800 424 079 (toll free) www.tars.com.au

Domestic violence: Quentin Bryce, Patron, OWN Australia Inc,  to head taskforce after horror week

 The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, has appointed Dame Quentin Bryce as the chair of a special government council to fast-track domestic violence reform.

 The response of authorities to the first call for help by a woman threatened with violence is “absolutely critical” Dame Quentin Bryce has said, and will be the focus of her work helping Australia end its domestic violence “emergency”.

We have offered our support and help and concerns that the taskforce ensures it also looks to violence against older women - physical, mental and financial.

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The 2015 Edna Ryan Awards will be held on

Friday 23 October, at the Trades Hall,

Sussex Street, Sydney

 NOMINATION FORM DOWNLOADABLE – see 'Nominations'

_____________________________  

Any profit from the EDNAs Awards night will fund an 

Edna Ryan Training Day for Young Women ASU Members.

For more information about the training contact lauren@asu.org.au 

_____________________________  

 Edna Ryan (1904–97) worked towards making a better world— especially for women.

She had a lifetime involvement in campaigning for equal pay.

The 2015 Edna Ryan Awards will be held on

Friday 23 October, at the Trades Hall,

Sussex Street, Sydney

 NOMINATION FORM DOWNLOADABLE – see 'Nominations'

_____________________________  

Any profit from the EDNAs Awards night will fund an 

Edna Ryan Training Day for Young Women ASU Members.

For more information about the training contact lauren@asu.org.au 

_____________________________  

 Edna Ryan (1904–97) worked towards making a better world— especially for women.

She had a lifetime involvement in campaigning for equal pay.