Bosnian Women's Health Festival

Bosnian women's health day, November 2004.

Women's Health West has worked with Bosnian women since 2002, including various health promotion activities with a Bosnian women's support group called 'Ostanimo Zajedno' (Let's Stay Together). Throughout 2004 we worked with the group to organise a one-day Bosnian Women's Health Festival, the Festival Zdravlja Zene. The festival was also supported by the North Western Migrant Resource Centre, ISIS Primary Care and Merhamet Bosnian Welfare.

Held in late November at Victoria University, St Albans, the Festival was a wonderful success. More than 50 women actively took part in workshops, listened to speakers, discussed a wide range of issues and enjoyed delicious Bosnian food and entertainment.

The day was opened by our CEO Melissa Afentoulis, followed by a talk and lively discussion by Bosnian GP Nermana Cradisic. The discussion focussed on stress management, sleeplessness and nutrition. Lunch was provided by members of the community, and enjoyed by all, then the singing of the Behar Bosnian Choir led to some spontaneous dancing before the afternoon workshops.

Women were divided into groups and each group took part in all three workshops on offer throughout the afternoon: a nutrition workshop provided by a dietician from ISIS Primary Care, a discussion of sexual health led by Women's Health West, and a self-massage and aromatherapy workshop by Jane, our women's health nurse who is also a herbalist.

Women attending the day were very pleasantly surprised at how "Bosnian" the event was in flavour, and another similar event is now planned for the South Eastern region, where many in Melbourne's Bosnian community live.

FIND OUT MORE about our work with Bosnian women.