A Women’s Health Strategy for Aotearoa New Zealand must take a life-course approach considering the specific needs of women. It must address prevention as well as treatment, consider the wider social determinants of health and mandate greater investment to address the health inequities women, especially some women, current experience.

That was the main appeal following RANZCOG’s Flourish Women+ Health Summit, held last year in Wellington.

RANZCOG has released a Summit Report, as well a vision for the Women’s Health Strategy.

The 100 participants, from a wide variety of organisations and perspectives, agreed that a strategy must:

– Consider the specific needs of women throughout their lives
– Address economic and social determinants of health
– Include prevention and health promotion as well as treatment
– Foster health services that are whanau centred and holistic

RANZCOG is encouraging members to make a submission to Manatū Hauora – Ministry of Health, as part of its development of a Women’s Health Strategy.

Closing date for submissions is 17 March 2023.