Our changing climate is exacerbating energy/health hardship – and evidence shows that women and children are bearing the brunt.

Despite this, women from high-risk communities are largely excluded from shaping policy, programs and systems reforms to address climate change and adaptation, perpetuating the energy/health hardship nexus.

The good news is – we can shift this.

How?

Join us for the final webinar in our current ‘Tackling the Energy/Health Hardship Nexus’* series.

At this free online event, you’ll gain practical insights from groundbreaking women-led climate adaptation initiatives that are:

ameliorating the risk of energy/health hardship, and
improving policy, service system and practice responses to energy/health hardship.

You’ll hear from speakers:

Dr Zerina Tomkins from Monash University, who will share her research 'Exploring Climate Resilient Maternal and Child Health in Australia'. Dr Tomkins’ groundbreaking work has brought together community members with researchers, policy makers and practitioners working on critical health and environmental challenges.

Wennie van Riet from GenWest, who will present on their work on a place-based health service model, which aims to enhance female leadership and community resilience in Melbourne's West. They will provide insights from their "Our Community, Our Voice" program, a unique peer-to-peer initiative designed to empower women who are disproportionately affected by climate change and urban disasters, through an intersectional feminist lens.

Time: 11am AEST

Date: Tuesday 29th July 2025

Location: Online – a webinar link will be emailed to you

Cost: Free of charge.

*This event is the final webinar in the ‘Tackling the Energy/Health Hardship Nexus’ webinar series, a project funded by Energy Consumers Australia Limited as part of its grants process for consumer advocacy projects and research projects for the benefit of consumers of electricity and gas. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Energy Consumers Australia.

To find out more about the ‘Tackling the Energy/Health Hardship Nexus’ project, please visit this website.

Auslan

Due to high demand, Victoria is experiencing a shortage of Auslan interpreters. VCOSS strives to ensure our events are inclusive to everyone and will do our best to secure Auslan interpreters. To help us do this, if you require Auslan for this event please RSVP as soon as possible so that we can work with Expression Australia to secure interpreters.

About the Victorian Council of Social Service
VCOSS is the peak representative body for Victoria’s social and community sector, and the state’s leading social advocacy organisation. We work towards creating a Victoria that is fair, just and inclusive. A society where nobody is trapped by poverty, and everybody is supported to live a life of wellbeing.

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