Suggested Resolution on CLIMATE CHANGE to be proposed by AFMW at the 2010 MWIA Congress. 

MWIA supports that people who are displaced as a result of climate change be granted refugee status. 

MWIA recognizes the responsibility of industrialised countries to assist other nations, both financially and with technical assistance, in their adapting and responding to the climate change that is already affecting them, as well as assisting these countries to reduce their contribution to further climate change.

Suggested Resolution on HUMAN RIGHTS FOR GLBTI PEOPLE. (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersex peoples) to be proposed by AFMW at the 2010 MWIA Congress. MWIA recognizes that in many countries homosexual, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people face discrimination in the form of violence and persecution. MWIA acknowledges that it is a basic human right to live and work free from such discrimination and persecution. Therefore, MWIA urges governments to remove legislation that discriminates against GLBTI peoples, and urges for legislation to protect the basic human rights of GLBTI peoples. And MWIA encourages that where there is the substantial threat or actual persecution and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, that this be grounds for refugee status being granted. 

Please see our newsletter page for our latest events....we are in the process of updating this section.

We had a great turn out for our autumn dinner on 26th May 2010, despite the rain, and thank you to all of those who ventured out on such a night. Louella McCarthy,  Senior Lecturer in School of Medicine at University of Western Sydney gave a historical overview of medical women in NSW from 1880 to 1939. Her talk titled “Uncommon Practices” highlighted the issues faced by women entering and doing medicine during this period. Informal discussion afterwards suggested that there were some areas of medicine that are still problematic for women graduates.  MWS of NSW through the  Australian Federation of Medical Women historically and currently is committed to an awareness and action on such issues.

Future dinners and  meeting will be 25^th August and  24^th November 2010. Hope to see you there, Liz Rickman Secretary.

In April 2009, MWS of NSW held a dinner/speaker event at AMA House.  One of our speakers was Dr Liz Rickman. Liz is currently Secretary of MWS of NSW and a Sydney inner west general practitioner, who has also worked in diverse environments such as Aboriginal communities in Central Australia and as a medic for Greenpeace at sea.  While working on the ‘Rainbow Warrior', protesting against ocean oil spills, Liz was arrested and spent time in solitary confinement while held under ‘uncharacteristic legislation' in Sweden.  Liz is a long-time activist and spokesperson on environmental issues, and is currently involved with Climate Change concerns.  Liz gave a fascinating talk on ‘Medicine, Activism and the Environment', and inspired us all with her motivation in tackling the issue of Climate Change and its impact on health.

Our Facebook group Medical Women’s Society of New South Wales, was started in 2008. We currently have 30 members, mostly medical students and junior doctors. Join the group if you haven’t already done so! Anyone can join. The group allows us to share and provide information about relevant issues, upcoming events and social activities, scholarship and leadership opportunities, news stories and more, via messages or posts on the group Facebook page. There is also a discussion board and links to websites that may interest group members. We are aware that many female medical students and junior doctors have a wish for mentorship. What other issues are of concern to you? Please share your thoughts with a post on the Facebook page. You may also like to join some related Facebook groups: Women in Medicine, Australian Federation of Medical Women, and MWIA Young Doctors and Medical Students. Joining these Facebook groups can connect you with medical women around Australia and around the world. MWIA (Medical Women’s International Association) encompasses all the individual state and national medical women’s societies worldwide.