Women's Health in Focus: Monash University Leads the Way in Malaysia
The Women's Health Research Symposium 2024 presented a crucial and timely opportunity to address the multifaceted challenges women face in Malaysia. Hosted collaboratively by Monash University campuses in both Malaysia and Australia, this two-day event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from both Monash University campuses, the Ministry of Health (Maternal and Child Health, community clinics, and hospitals), the Ministry of Education (Universiti Malaya Medical Centre), external agencies (United Nations University), and NGOs such as the Reproductive Rights Advocacy Alliance Malaysia (RRAAM) and Johor Outreach and Community Centre for refugee communities.
This workshop was the brainchild of Associate Professor Dr Nisha Angela, Women's Health, Monash University Malaysia, and Associate Professor Dr Jacqueline Boyle and Dr Siew Lim from the Health Systems and Equity Group at Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University.
The symposium explored several key areas of women's health, drawing on various stakeholders' latest research and perspectives. It was clear from this two-day meeting that a multifaceted approach that includes strengthening the healthcare system, promoting health literacy and awareness, and fostering collaboration between government agencies, NGOs and civil society organisations is critically needed to address the challenges women in Malaysia face comprehensively.
The meeting identified several key objectives for the network, including:
- the need to decrease health disparities among the diverse populations of women by addressing the cultural, economic and social factors contributing to health inequities.
- expand and expedite the scope of women's health beyond the traditional focus on reproductive health. The recent global pandemic and the increasingly diverse public health concerns have demonstrated this as an important need.
Monash University Malaysia is committed to aligning its research strategies with the public health issues and gaps affecting women in Malaysia, as highlighted in a 2022 press statement by the Malaysian Health Coalition (MHC), the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Malaysia (OGSM), and the Women's Aid Organisation. You can read more about these issues in their International Women's Day 2022 press statement.
At the conclusion of the symposium, the team successfully identified key research priorities and values in women's health in Malaysia. They plan to develop a network to facilitate the sharing of research and foster potential collaborations. The symposium also reinforced the strength of existing local and national agencies while highlighting the importance of established international collaborations. Partnerships with Monash University in Australia through WHInc, SEACO (Action Lab, Eastern Health Clinical School, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, and Faculty of Arts), and the Monash Women's Health Alliance were recognised as crucial for ongoing success.
There are opportunities for Monash University Malaysia to lead a cohesive and exciting women's health program in Malaysia. It aims to be a catalyst for innovative and interdisciplinary research collaboration. This initiative will foster the exchange of knowledge and the development of actionable strategies to improve the health and well-being of women in Malaysia throughout their lives.