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A Voice for Change

Changing the landscape for women with Gynaecological, Sexual and related Mental Health Issues

Women

I come from a stock of tough good women

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After meeting with my (90 year old) Aunty Jean Tillett yesterday I only now discovered that Jean (bottom left of picture)/my other Aunty Iris Hinchcliffe (top right hand corner) both played football in Kalgoorlie 1944. I had absolutely nooo idea that these refined women I knew all my life would even play football. Not once was it mentioned. It has taken me aback to take a closer look at their lives and how they have impacted in my own life and why I keep on keeping in with my Gynaecological Health campaign.

Sadly Mum is slowly fading away with dementia and Jean still has a sharp mind however I feel Jean is missing the life they used to have. Mum was a great pianist and Jean and their other sister Billy were singers and would always be entertaining at concerts with the war songs and song learnt from their father who was a violinist. So music was always part of their lives. Jean lives on her on and soo misses the life she once had. Determined to stay in her house by herself she is lonely, going blind and deaf. One wonders how one would cope with these things at that age. I rang to try to get some help for anyone to go and even sing a song and a cup of tea.  I feel it would be great to hear a 90 yo woman speak of her time back then playing football given that women’s football is now getting some wonderful attention.

Mum raised us 5 girls on her own after Dad came back from the war with mental issues. When I look back I wonder how on earth Mum survived.

Now I begin to understand where my determination, persistence, perseverance and spirit has come from.

 

She will grow up in a Viva La Vulva generation

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I just had to share this comment received recently with pride:

“I don’t have any children of my own but I have a niece who is almost two and I want to support her development as she grows to understand her body. At the moment we use the word ‘fla fla’ because it’s easier for her to pronounce, but as her speech develops more, fla fla will turn into vulva. She will grow up in a viva la vulva generation. I could honestly never express my gratitude enough to Kath. Because of her, this little girl will be growing up gynae-aware.”

A voice for women with Gynaecological health issues

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As a Gynaecological cancer survivor it soon opened up my mind to the millions of women with Gynaecological, sexual and related mental health issues in the world. The suffering in silence is huge. One needs to question why this is so in this day and age. I placed an advertisement in a woman’s magazine years ago and was amazed at how women just “put up” with issues below the belt. Mostly because they were either afraid or embarrassed. Through my initiative of the International Gynaecological Awareness Day 10 September campaign. I aim to create a voice for these women and to forewarn unsuspecting women of risks and symptoms. I don’t promote this as a health professional however whilst I see very little gynaecological health education in the global community I will never sit quietly and suffer in silence like I have seen many women do.  I appeal to you to support the campaign and celebrate the day in which ever way you can. Even if it is at your breakfast table, think of the women who have gone before us and the women who still endure GYN health issues without a voice.  #undiesforbetterunderstanding and quilting campaign.

National Rural Health Alliance Partyline

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Below is article appearing in March edition of Partline to online magazine for National Rural Health Alliance.

It is hoped that this will reach far and wide to rural communities.  It would be great for all to encourage their networks to celebrate the Gynae Awareness day in their corner of the world.

Link to Kaths article:

http://www.ruralhealth.org.au/partyline/article/support-international-gynaecological-awareness-day-10-september

Support International Gynaecological Awareness Day on 10 September

  • Wongan Wobblers high tea

Wongan Wobblers high tea

International Gynaecological Awareness Day (IGAD) brings communities together and raises awareness of a serious topic through an element of fun. Download the IGAD kit at https://www.kathmazzella.com/category/international-gyn-awareness-day/  to help you organise an ‘Undies for Better Understanding’ event in your local area, encouraging women to speak out.

After my radical gynaecological cancer treatment, I soon realised millions of women, including country women, have gynaecological health issues but do not have a voice. I set out as an advocate for greater recognition of gynaecological and related mental health needs. These issues are poorly understood by many professionals, the community and women’s groups. We need to improve the knowledge and attitudes of the community at large with greater education and, most of all, support women and men standing alongside their women: wives, partners, mothers, sisters, daughters, work colleagues.

Undies quilt by Perth Modern Quilters
Undies quilt by Perth Modern Quilters

The Perth Modern Quilters created a quilt to assist me to help break down barriers and stigmas. When showing the quilt to the Country Women’s Association, Western Australia I was invited as a guest speaker at their 90th conference. This led to doing many country presentations and undies workshops. There is much laughter during these workshops as they allow women to sit around with each other, share their stories and have great conversations while making their undies. It helps them to be able to converse more openly next time they approach their health practitioners and to create greater dialogue between mothers and daughters and lessen the stigmas that can be passed down from one generation to the next.

I was born in Kalgoorlie, WA. I founded the Gynaecological Awareness Information Network Inc. www.gain.org.au in 2001. As a health consumer, a survivor and a thriver I am seeking support and action for International Gynaecological Awareness Day.

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business-of-blood-can-be-tough-for-a-female-entrepreneur

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It was fantastic to watch this video and the concept of Maki Agrawal to make her difference in the world for women.  I have written to her to seek collaboration with the Gynaecological Awareness Day.  How exciting it would be if we could bring this together.  Wish me luck

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-02-15/the-business-of-blood-can-be-tough-for-a-female-entrepreneur

King Edward Hospital and City of Perth purple building GYN Day

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Great to see the City of Perth light up Council House Purple for the International Gynaecological Awareness Day and much appreciated that the Royal Australian New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology agreed to promote the day on their calendar in 2016 perthcitycouncilpurpole