Tuesday, 15 August 2023

Women’s sexual and reproductive health

Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (16:14): (380) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Health in the other place. Many married women of child-bearing age and health are being denied permanent contraception through having their tubes tied. Physicians are still using the excuse of having to seek both the patient’s and her husband’s permission to undergo this contraceptive surgery or pushing for medicated and risky hormone contraceptives that pose adverse reactions such as stroke. Many women who have chosen not to start a family altogether are also finding it difficult to gain a referral for this surgery and are being faced with alternative options if they do not wish to risk unwanted pregnancy.

What has happened to the ‘My body, my choice’ movement? Does it only apply to a child wanting to permanently mutilate their body and change their gender? Why should a sound-of-mind, healthy woman be denied a procedure that nearly 100 per cent guarantees effectiveness in this day and age? Women should have the liberty and support to make the right health choices for their bodies and social situations. Seeing that I cannot find legislation that restricts a doctor from referring a patient to a gynaecologist for this surgery, I ask that the minister investigate why doctors are still so hesitant to carry out this basic and beneficial procedure to women of their own accord.