Media Release: Tuesday 16th June 2009

Healthy African Women and Babies: New Manual for Health Providers

Women's Health West launches the second edition of 'Mama and Nunu' (Mother and Baby), on Monday 22 June. The manual is for health and service providers working with African women affected by Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

More than a third of the humanitarian arrivals settling in Victoria are from African countries and significant numbers settle in the western metropolitan region of Melbourne.

"Mama and Nunu 2 will help health and service providers offer responsive and culturally appropriate services by strengthening their knowledge and understanding of African women's diverse backgrounds, needs and expectations," said Reem Omarit, Family and Reproductive Rights Education Program worker at Women's Health West.

"We wrote Mama and Nunu 2 in consultation with newly arrived African women by adding topics that respond to the shifting migration and settlement trends of African women living in the west of Melbourne.

"Mama and Nunu 2 explains the multiple and complex reasons for FGM and outlines the legal status of FGM in Australia.

"We discuss the differences in health care between Africa and Australia and highlight the importance of confidentiality, interpreters and flexibility to improve African women's access to Australian services," said Ms Omarit.

"Village birth attendants are experienced and know what to do even if they are untrained," explained one Sudanese woman. Traditional African birth attendants are heavily relied on in areas of Africa where health services are almost non-existent.

"Many African women experience difficulties when accessing Australian health and other services such as language and cultural barriers, settlement issues and inability to access and navigate the health system," observed Ms Omarit.

Mama and Nunu 2 is essential reading for any health or service providers working with African women in the west of Melbourne and is available from www.whwest.org.au

Photo Opportunity: Monday 22 June 2009 (12 noon) African workers in traditional dress with colourful publication

MEDIA CONTACT

For more information contact Nicola Harte, Communications Co-ordinator at Women's Health West on 9689 9588 or email nicolah@whwest.org.au or contact on the day on 0432 637 933. For all other general media enquiries contact us via email.