Spotlight on Women’s Health Loddon Mallee
About Women’s Health Loddon Mallee
Women’s Health Loddon Mallee (WHLM) are lead advocates for women's health in the Loddon Mallee, addressing gender inequities through an intersectional feminist framework. WHLM have a strategic focus on gender equity, sexual and reproductive health, primary prevention of violence against women, mental health and wellbeing, and women in a changing society.
The Loddon Mallee Region of Victoria includes the local government areas of Buloke, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Gannawarra, Greater Bendigo, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mildura, Mount Alexander and Swan Hill.
Featured work: Women Rising – Flood recovery with women in the Loddon Mallee Region
The Gendered Impact of Flooding in Loddon Mallee
In October 2022, Victoria faced unprecedented flooding, causing widespread destruction and disruption to communities across the State. Understanding the gendered impact of disasters, Women’s Health Loddon Mallee (WHLM) responded with a focused approach that amplified women’s voices in flood recovery. This project drew inspiration from the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, emphasizing community action and the expertise of those affected.
Community-led Recovery
Central to WHLM’s strategy was building strong partnerships. Recognising communities as the best architects of their recovery, WHLM fostered collaboration, providing financial support for place-based recovery projects that engaged hundreds of women including ‘Ladies Night’ (Campaspe Shire) and ‘Women Work Boots and Wellbeing’ (Gannawarra and Loddon Shires).
To empower community-led recovery, WHLM allocated $90,000 in quick response funding for 19 diverse activities across the region.
Grant information sessions ensured broad participation and reduced barriers to apply for funding that supported projects in leadership development, art, community connection, and mental health and connected flood-affected women to essential local services.
Nurture and Nourishment on Country
‘Nurture and Nourishment on Country’ brought together First Nations women for cultural sharing and support. The weekend provided a culturally safe space, fostering trust and connection. Outcomes included ongoing collaboration and a framework for women-led cultural activities.
Focus Groups
‘Women Rising’ Flood Recovery Focus Groups were instrumental in understanding women’s lived experiences. Key themes emerged including gender roles, impacts of floods, community strengths, and community solutions. Discussions reflected the burden on women, the facade they maintain, and the need for long-term support in disaster recovery.
Gender and Disaster Training
WHLM collaborated with Gender and Disaster Australia and local governments to deliver Lessons in Disaster training to over 72 local government staff, first responders, and community members to build capacity to understand gender-specific needs during disasters.
Outcomes
In total this project directly reached 2009 individuals, emphasising the significance of community-led recovery. Major learnings highlighted that communities are best placed to lead their own recovery and that women’s voices need to be heard.
Grant information sessions ensured broad participation and reduced barriers to applying for funding that supported projects in leadership development, art, community connection, and mental health and connected flood-affected women to essential local services.
What’s next for this work?
WHLM are committed to continuing their work in understanding the gendered impacts of disasters. Results are being disseminated back to stakeholders and a full report of the flood recovery project will be released in early 2024. Further funding is being sought for a joint partnership project with La Trobe University to work with community and stakeholders in the region to develop a community responsive model of disaster planning, response and recovery that centres the voices and lived experiences of women.
To read a detailed Women Rising case study and find out more about WHLM’s other work, visit https://whlm.org.au/women-rising/
A video is also now available outlining WHLM’s approach to flood recovery across the Loddon Mallee region: https://youtu.be/k5MJSY8Es_4