On International Women’s Day (IWD), the Australian Medical Association called for urgent action to address ongoing challenges to women’s rights and healthcare access worldwide.
AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said this year’s IWD theme, ‘For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment’, was a powerful reminder of the need for systemic change to ensure no woman or girl is left behind.
“Around the world, many hard-won rights are being rolled back, with access to safe pregnancy termination disappearing in some countries, leaving women without choices over their own bodies,” Dr McMullen said.
“Here in Australia, women’s safety, autonomy, and healthcare rights remain major concerns. Domestic violence continues at critical levels, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women face shocking health disparities, and reproductive healthcare remains inaccessible to many, especially in rural and remote areas.
“The AMA continues to be a strong advocate for women’s rights, and for more than a decade has pushed for equitable access to pregnancy termination services, recognising that reproductive rights are essential for women’s autonomy and well-being.
“The AMA is also fighting for stronger maternal healthcare and has been instrumental in calling for better funding and policy changes that ensure no woman is left behind in receiving high-quality medical care throughout pregnancy.”
Last year, the AMA made a strong call for action to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs to improve equality for women suffering from menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms in Australia, and the government listened.
The AMA recently welcomed Labor’s announcement of new measures for women’s health, including a significant Medicare funding boost for long-acting reversible contraceptives and the listing of new oral contraceptive pills and menopausal hormone therapies on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
The AMA is also playing a critical role in addressing domestic and family violence. Understanding that healthcare professionals are often the first point of contact for women in danger, the AMA has developed guidelines and resources to help doctors support victims and connect them with life-saving services.
“When women and girls have full access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, entire societies benefit,“ Dr McMullen said.
The AMA encourages all Australians to join the conversation about gender equity using the hashtag #ForAllWomenAndGirls and to take meaningful action in their communities.
“The theme is more than just a slogan — it’s a call to action. If we want a future where every woman and girl can thrive, we must keep fighting, keep pushing, and keep demanding better. Because no matter where we live, women’s rights are worth defending.“
