The Australian Government is providing $5.4 million to extend a program that enables migrant and refugee women to discuss important health issues in their own language.
The funding will allow the Multicultural Centre for Women's Health to deliver the Health in My Language (HiML) program in all states and territories in 2025-2026.
HiML recruits, trains and coordinates bicultural women's health educators, who reach out to migrant and refugee women from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Health education sessions are delivered in the participants' own languages, ensuring that the information is accessible, culturally appropriate and safe.
Access to accurate health and medical information empowers the women to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.
HiML has so far delivered education to women in multicultural communities about sexual and reproductive health, screening for bowel, breast and cervical cancer, and COVID-19.
The Multicultural Centre for Women's Health delivers the program in partnership with:
- True Relationships and Reproductive Health in Queensland
- Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) in New South Wales
- Women's Health Matters in the Australian Capital Territory
- Australian Red Cross in Tasmania
- Australian Red Cross in South Australia
- Australian Red Cross in the Northern Territory
- Ishar Multicultural Women's Health Services in Western Australia.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney MP:
"All women deserve the best possible healthcare. To achieve that we must break down prohibitive barriers like English proficiency and cultural barriers that place taboos on certain health issues.
"No person or group should feel unsafe, judged or unwelcome when seeking healthcare. We must make healthcare always accessible by ensuring information is available in diverse languages and in culturally safe and appropriate ways.
"Our government is pleased to continue supporting the program as part of our solid commitment to health equity for women and girls, and people of all genders from diverse backgrounds."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill MP:
"The great promise of Australian multiculturalism is the promise of a fair go - that everybody has access to the information and services they need to have a fair crack at life.
"The Albanese Government's Health in My Language program has empowered thousands of women from all backgrounds to access culturally appropriate healthcare information in language since 2022.
"The extension of this program will build on that success, ensuring women and girls can continue to make informed decisions around their health."
