Alike WA joined organisations, advocates and community leaders from across Western Australia at the WA Women’s Health Conference on 7 September. This year’s theme was Health Equity for Every Woman.

Hosted by the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing, the conference brought together people from across the sector. This included government, academia, frontline services, Aboriginal leaders and lived experience advocates.

The day began with a Welcome to Country from Lois Dale May (nee Turvey). It was followed by a welcome from Dr Alison Evans, CEO of the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing, and an opening address from Hon. Meredith Hammat MLA, Minister for Health and Mental Health.

Janel and Tanzi attended on our behalf. They spent the day connecting with people from across the state and taking part in conversations about how communities and services can better support women.

Bringing peer support into the conversation

A highlight for us was seeing peer support included in the conference program.

Janel Wong from Alike WA joined Jasmyn Hutin from Orana House to present Beyond the System: How Peer Support Transforms Women’s Health. Their presentation formed part of the conference’s Lived Experience Leadership stream.

Together, they spoke about the positive impact peer support can have in women’s lives. They also explored the role of shared experience and community connection alongside formal systems of support.

For us, it was important to see peer support represented in conversations about women’s health equity. Peer support can help create spaces where people feel understood by others with shared experiences. It can also strengthen connection and belonging within communities.

Learning from lived experience

Throughout the day, speakers and participants shared lived experience, research and examples of initiatives working to improve women’s health and wellbeing.

It was valuable to hear directly from WA women about their experiences. We also learnt from work taking place across Australia.

For Janel and Tanzi, the conference was a chance to meet new people, exchange ideas and reflect on how organisations and communities can better support one another.

The day also reinforced the importance of listening to lived experience and making space for community-led approaches alongside formal services.

Continuing the conversation

The WA Women’s Health Conference created space for peer support to be part of broader discussions about health equity, access and community wellbeing.

We were pleased to contribute to that conversation and connect with people working across the sector to improve outcomes for women throughout Western Australia.

Thank you to the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing for bringing people together for the day, and to everyone who shared their knowledge and perspectives.

Learn more about the WA Women’s Health Conference

Next month we’ll be attending the Carer’s WA Conference at Optus Stadium, find out more.