Media release
6 April 2001
Women doctors from all over the world will meet in Sydney this month, to confer on the key issue of women’s health in a multicultural world.
The 25th International Congress of the prestigious Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA) will be held at the Sydney Hilton Hotel, from April 19-23.
Dr Marilyn McMurchie, Congress Convener and President of the Australian Federation of Medical Women, said that the Congress represented a great opportunity to raise awareness of women’s health issues here and overseas.
“At the General Assemblies we will seek resolutions on how women’s health can be improved to take to Governments, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations and UNICEF. We will also develop an international action plan to ensure these resolutions are implemented,” Dr McMurchie said.
“The MWIA has been instrumental in making representations to world Governments and other groups to improve living and medical conditions for women. This includes work in areas such as the human rights of women affected by the Taliban militia in Afghanistan and widows in some African nations.”
“Our visibility on the international medical and human rights scene has increased markedly in the past three years and this 25th Congress represents an opportunity to enhance our position as a credible international lobby group on women’s health.”
Dr McMurchie said that Kerry Arabena, Chair of the Indigenous Sexual Health Committee of the Australian National Council on AIDS, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases (ANCAHRD), will deliver the keynote address.
“Other speakers come from Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea, Uganda, Iran, India, Nigeria, USA, Canada, Germany, Japan and South Africa and Sweden.”
The themes for papers include women’s mental health, violence against women and children, indigenous health and gender in research and policy.
The scientific program will take place on April 21-22 and the general assemblies on April 20 and April 23. A teaching symposium will be held on April 19.
The MWIA was formed in 1919 and now boasts a membership of 75 countries across five continents. All medically qualified women are eligible for membership.
The Australian Federation of Medical Women gratefully acknowledges the financial contribution made by AusAID, Sydney Water and the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care to the XXVth international Congress of the Medical Women’s International Association.
For interviews please call: Dr Marilyn McMurchie on 02 9331 7953 and 0419 983 726, or Dr Katherine Brown on 02 4276 2399 and 0413 458 946.
For media inquiries about the Congress please call: Ms Claire Braund, media coordinator, on 9420 4001 or 0409 981781
For further information visit the website: mwia.regional.org.au
