AFMW Home
Introducing Dr Padmini Murthy
- Published: 15 August 2010
Padmini (Mini) Murthy, MD, MPH, MS is a physician and an activist who did her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has practiced medicine in various countries. She has a Master's in Public Health and a Masters in Management from New York University (NYU). She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist. Murthy has been the recipient of several awards and has presented at numerous national and international conferences. Currently she is Assistant Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management and Global Health Program Director at New York Medical College School of Public Health. She is also Asst Professor in the Department of Family Community and Family Medicine. Murthy is the NGO Co-Representative of Medical Women's International Association to the United Nations.
Avoiding Pregnancy Discrimination at Work
- Published: 25 July 2010
The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched a national campaign aimed at helping women avoid pregnancy discrimination at work. About 100,000 information packs are being sent to hospitals, GPs and other health service providers in metropolitan and regional areas throughout Australia. Pregnant women will receive the packs when they register with their preferred health professional after becoming pregnant.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has had the power to investigate discrimination in the workplace since July 1, 2009. Fair Work inspectors can also investigate allegations of discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, sex, sexual preference, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, family or carer responsibilities, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin. For more information visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
Medicine and Motherhood: Can we talk?
- Published: 15 July 2010
Accommodation of pregnant physicians is a key issue in human resources planning. The extent to which the needs of pregnant physicians are accommodated - or not - is recognised as a significant influence on maternal and foetal health, the well-being of the mother and child during pregnancy and postpartum, and female physicians' career progression, career choices and practice patterns.
Medicine and Motherhood: Can we talk? is a consensus statement developed by the Taskforce on the Accommodation of the Pregnant Physician and published by the Physician Health Program of British Columbia that aims to inform and promote discussion around the important issues of combining medicine and motherhood. Click here to download
AFMW & National Breast Cancer Foundation Partnership: The National Women’s Research Register
- Published: 11 July 2010
It was with tremendous pride that I represented the Australian Federation of Medical Women at Admiralty House Sydney on July 5th 2010 on the National Breast Cancer Foundation - Women’s Advisory Council. This subcommittee of the NBCF consists of key figures from industry, government, business and professional bodies, who have lent their support for the NBCF’s new “research register”. This online “national register” for women enables every interested woman (both with and without a diagnosis of breast cancer) to volunteer their interest to participate in future Australian research projects examining different aspects of breast cancer.
Video Download: Women in Combat - New Challenges for Medicine and Society
- Published: 04 July 2010
This video session, sponsored by the American Medical Association Women Physicians Congress, helps to educate and better familiarise doctors and medical students to how women in the military respond to issues of sex discrimination and various work/life adjustments.
In the United States today, women make up 15% of active-duty forces, and in the Marine Corps, this number has grown to 20%. Many in healthcare are unaware of the unique issues these women face during their service and once they have returned to their homes. Click here to register and download (free).
Gender Architecture Reform leads to the establishment of UN Women
- Published: 04 July 2010
In an historic move, the United Nations General Assembly voted unanimously on 2 July 2010 to create a new entity to accelerate progress in meeting the needs of women and girls worldwide. The establishment of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women — to be known as UN Women — is a result of years of negotiations between UN Member States and advocacy by the global women’s movement. It is part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact.
The resolution contains strong language about the importance of civil society participation in the new entity and urges Member States to ensure that adequate financial resources are committed. Click here to visit the new UN Women website.
Want to learn more about National Registration?
- Published: 04 July 2010
Every medical practitioner who is registered at 30 June will automatically transition into the new scheme and be registered with the National Scheme until the end-date of their current registration. Although the new National Law has not been passed in every State and Territory, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA) and the National Scheme registration requirements apply to all medical practitioners across Australia from 1 July 2010. Visit the following websites for the most up to date information as it comes online:
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA)
Medical Board of Australia






