The Tasmanian Government is currently developing the next Tasmanian Mental Health Strategy – Rethink and Beyond (2026–2031).
Women Speak Tasmania has made a formal submission to this important consultation. Our submission is based directly on the AAWAA UN OHCHR submission on mental health and human rights (October 2024) and on Tasmania-specific statistics, particularly around male violence as a major driver of women’s and girls’ mental ill-health.
We strongly support the Strategy’s vision of a person-centred, trauma-informed, and equitable mental health system, but we argue that these goals can only be fully realised for women and girls if biological sex (not gender identity) remains the protected characteristic in all Tasmanian law, policy, and service delivery.
We have also offered to meet with the Department for further consultation and roundtables.