By Bruce Wardley

LOSE weight, they say, or go away.

Female voters easily outnumber male voters in Monash but with the election just a week away women’s health and the safety of women is yet to be satisfactorily addressed by either of the two major parties according to women on the Bass Coast.

Dismissing attempts by some in politics to redefine what it is to be female these Bass Coast women accept trans-gendered males who identify as female.

“We are all treated as second-class citizens,” said one woman, who met during a group chat and opened the doors to the Sentinel-Times.

“You don’t have to be born a woman to identify as a woman.”

The women said they are often unfairly criticised because of their weight.

“There is a bodyweight culture that discriminates against women,” they agreed.

A woman’s pain is often dismissed as normal by male doctors.

“Pain is never normal,” said another woman.

“I was in debilitating pain and the first thing a gynaecologist told me was to lose weight. No way should we put up with pain.”

The group is calling for more research into women’s biology and more female doctors.

“Medications are usually tested on men,” they claimed, with research from renowned Universities including Chicago and California, Berkeley backing this up.

“What about the side effects on women?”

The women have called for better education in women’s health particularly for male doctors.

“Some female medical conditions can only be treated by specialists and are not covered by Medicare. Men get a better deal from Medicare.”

One woman wanted boys and girls to be better educated about each other’s biology.

“The mystery surrounding women’s bodies is incredible,” she said.

“Men are still ignorant about women’s health issues.”

Boys need to learn more about the women who will one day become mothers.

The world is not a safe place

The world is not a safe place for women according to the women themselves.

“Men are seen as a threat,” they all agreed.

Most women have a story of domestic violence or sexual abuse within the family.

“Once it was safe to go to Melbourne on the train,” explained one of the women.

“No way would I allow my daughters to travel on public transport at night.”

According to those in attendance, the education system is also failing young girls.

“Girls learn differently than boys. Girls are taught to be apologetic and cultivated to be subservient.”

Bullying at school is a problem according to a mother with two daughters.

“There is no dedicated welfare support or consistency for girls.”

Reports of abuse, even between girls, is ignored.

“Problems at school are common and tend to be unsupported by staff.”

Housing for single women or young women in the workforce is also a problem that has yet to be addressed according to these women.

“It is difficult for women to afford rent. Homeless women are invisible.”

A woman can stay trapped in an unhappy marriage because of the likelihood of homelessness.

“Women often don’t have enough money to move anywhere else and landlords are reluctant to rent to tenants on government support.”

‘Run’ money is also not uncommon for women.

Furthermore, the earnings gap between men and women is still real according to the women, not necessarily because women are paid less, but because they work in lower-paying professions such as nursing and teaching; with women still expected to be the primary carer on the Bass Coast and in South Gippsland.

Immigration was not seen as a threat to jobs or housing, but they did emphasise the need for better assimilation.

Not wanting to be seen as bossy, the women said they generally don’t make a fuss.

“Men are more assertive and more likely to seek leadership roles.”

“If women speak out in the community they are seen as bossy or anti-social.”

One woman who had stood for council said people are more likely to listen to a man.

Hate speech in social media against female candidates is rife according to the women.

“They would never talk about men the way they talk about female candidates.”

While the women as a group were reluctant to commit to either of the major parties preferring instead to support alternative candidates, one woman said perhaps only the Prime Minister could understand women because Anthony Albanese was raised by a single mother.

“He grew up in a single-parent family with an unmarried mother.”

LGBTIQ+ issues are very important for Gen Z girls and boys.

Women may not make a fuss, but they do vote.