Facing Facts, Facing Futures: Challenges to Women's Health

Abstract

For people with a long history of involvement in progressive politics, these are times to try the soul. The achievements of the 1970s and '80s are looking vulnerable and many have been rolled back. The gap between rich and poor is widening internationally and nationally, youth suicide, already alarming, is on the increase, indigenous rights are being eroded and indigenous health remains poor (perhaps these trends are related), unemployment persists at stubbornly high levels, and many women's services, including health services, are being de-funded, out-sourced, amalgamated or mainstreamed. Governments are becoming corporations and citizens are being asked to become customers.