The work of Women’s Health In the North (WHIN) aims to strengthen women’s health and wellbeing, with a strategic focus on preventing violence against women, sexual and reproductive rights, economic participation and, more recently, the impact of climate change on women.

We offer a range of programs, training and community services as well as research and advocacy across our four priority areas. At the heart of our work is advocacy on behalf of women to governments, organisations and communities to drive social, economic and environmental change that removes the barriers to health and wellbeing. We also work to enable women to effect change in their lives and encourage organisations to be leaders in developing effective programs, policies and practice that improves women’s health and wellbeing. We also work collaboratively with health and community organisations to advocate for governments at all levels to make women’s health a priority.

As the regional women’s health service for Melbourne’s Northern metropolitan region, WHIN brings together women and agencies to work towards strengthening the wellbeing, health and lives of a culturally diverse population of women. We have particular expertise in meeting the needs of women who are most marginalised by the health system, and who might generally be referred to as ‘hard to reach’ or ‘at risk’.

Our work covers the municipalities of Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Moreland, Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Yarra, where we have more than 18 years’ experience in and commitment to:

• Promoting collaborative partnerships to improve services and programs for women;
• Training and community education;
• Conducting research and producing resources for women’s health; and
• Campaigning for social, economic and environmental change to remove barriers to good health.