On Women’s Agenda, we are preparing to host our second annual Women’s Health & Wellbeing Summit on September 2 2025, a day of challenging keynotes and panels discussing how employers, policymakers and advocates can enhance women’s health.
This summit is not about fitness fads, fast diets or influencers posing as experts.
Rather, it’s about positioning women’s health as critical to women’s safety, security, happiness and wellbeing.
And it’s about getting key conversations on the table that have been dismissed, sidelined and overlooked for too long, thanks to a lineup of incredible speakers including Wendy McCarthy AC, Antoinette Lattouf, Sophie Delezio, Dr Danielle McMullen, Associate Professor Clare Arnott and more.
(As of writing, we still have some limited tickets available in Sydney! See here)
While women do live longer than men, women spend 25 per cent more of their lives in poor health or with disability, according to the World Economic Forum.
The opportunities to address these inequities are huge.
It includes improving diagnosis and outcomes for women, access to better treatments and care through gender-tailored approaches, and greater inclusivity for social and economic inclusion for women.
Health-related inequities cost $55 billion in lost GDP due to women being less able to fully participate in the workforce, according to Monash University. Globally, McKinsey & Co says closing the women’s health gap could add at least US$1 trillion in global GDP annually by 2040.
The Women’s Health & Wellbeing Summit is more than a conference. It’s a platform for action: connecting leaders across health, business, politics, research, and the community to focus on leveraging this momentum on women’s health to drive gender equity and create more opportunities for women and girls.
This year, we will broaden the conversation around what it means to care for all women and gender-diverse people across every stage of life. We’ll be exploring timely and pressing topics, including medical misinformation, menopause, mental resilience, violence prevention, neurodiversity, addiction, and the frontiers of women’s health research.
Curated by our independent editorial team, we’ve intentionally brought in speakers we know can share the most up-to-date information, while also being frank, open and optimistic in their approach.
Having published Women’s Agenda for over a decade, we’ve been incredibly lucky to interview and work with some of the most inspiring gamechangers in all spaces we cover, but especially in Women’s Health. And especially in recent years, where a focus on women’s health has picked up momentum, thanks to the efforts of dedicated, passionate people working across the full spectrum of health (and typically women)
So, join us!
This is a day that empowers any woman to take control of her health. And one that will enable all of us to better advocate and elevate why women’s health matters. Last year, our audience left with essential health knowledge, ideas for how they can be a part of leading on change for others, as well as new connections and tips for navigating their own work and health.
We will be sharing plenty of content from the event here on Women’s Agenda and via our podcasts and socials, including YouTube (where you can check out some of last year’s sessions). We’ll be leveraging what we learn at the Summit to improve how we cover women’s health and to use our journalism to better advocate for the solutions available to improve health outcomes for more women.
See our full lineup of speakers and sessions here. Limited tickets still available.
Session highlights include:
Taking the long view on women’s health! Wendy McCarthy AC is a legendary social activist and company director who has been at the forefront of change on women’s health in Australia.
The weight of knowing, with Antoinette Lattouf. The fearless journalist, author and human rights advocate will speak on a topic that’s close to many of our readers on Women’s Agenda and so many in the advocacy space. How can women stay emotionally strong, while staying informed?
Leading with vulnerability. Survivor and digital creator Sophie Delezio will share her story of resilience and turning struggle into strength.
Perimenopause and Menopause mythbusting! With the incredible health communicator Dr Fatima Khan. We’ll get right to the point here, highlighting some of the evidence-backed opportunities for women to thrive through significant hormonal shifts.
Beyond Bikini Health. How do we move past the idea that “women’s health” only concerns what’s typically covered by a bikini? A/Professor Clare Arnott has joined the chat to talk heart health and her work as Director of the Global Cardiovascular Program, the George Institute for Global Health.
Brain health and fighting neurological decline, with Dr Rowena Mobbs. The neurologist and associate professor will address the steps for improving brain health, including preventing dementia
Cultivating strength. Jen Dugard is an entrepreneur and fitness coach who gets it. The entrepreneur, founder, and fitness coach is leading a global initiative to educate exercise professionals on how to support new mothers in returning to exercise safely.
Empowering women on the fertility journey. Fertility is a complex, challenging, emotional and difficult topic. How can we reframe the subject to be one that’s empowering for women? Fertility specialist Dr Danielle Robson will address this topic.
Deep dive topics and panellists include:
The Misinformation Minefield
Women’s health is especially vulnerable to misinformation and disinformation online. We’ll be tackling the topic to highlight the risks to women and what can and must be done about the issues, with some of the leading media voices on health in the country.
Dr Danielle McMullen, President, Australian Medical Association
A/Professor Devini Ameratunga. Gynaecologist and laparoscopic surgeon
Nayuka Gorrie, writer, actor, activist.
Navigating loneliness together
Loneliness is a national crisis in Australia, with research showing significant differences in feelings of loneliness across different demographics of women. It’s an issue we’ve covered extensively on Women’s Agenda, including via our Medibank partnership profiling community groups that aim to unite women around shared interests and hobbies.
We can’t discuss women’s health without talking about loneliness and some of the strategies government, communities, employers and more can take to lead on the issue.
Prof. Melody Ding. Professor at Prevention Research Collaboration. The University of Sydney.
A/Professor Michelle H Lim. CEO & Scientific Chair. Ending Loneliness Together.
Angela Davies, Wellbeing Speaker. Mental Health Advocate.
Ending violence against women
We can’t discuss women’s health without talking about violence against women: especially the role of health systems, policy in practice in perpetuating this epidemic. All women on this panel have lived experience, legal and sector knowledge as well as powerful persistence and passion for ending violence against women.
Karen Iles, Founder, Violet Co
Nicole Yade, The CEO of the Women and Girls’ Emergency Centre
Catherine Berney, Executive Director, National Women’s Safety Alliance
Hannah Moreno, founder & CEO, Third Hemisphere.
The gendered nature of addiction
This panel will dive into the challenging topic of women and addiction, as well as caring for those with addiction. Addiction is a topic that doesn’t get enough airtime in health and wellbeing space, but it’s an issue that touches many of us in different ways.
Dr Hester Wilson, GP, Addiction Medicine Specialist.
Ali Walker, Founder & CEO, Ality.
Kathryn Elliot, Founder, The Alcohol Mindset Coach
Katherine DeAraugo. Singer, keynote speaker.
Advancements in women’s health research
The past couple of years have seen some significant improvements in women’s health research — supporting the big catch-up on the decades of such work being overlooked. This session will highlight some of the reasons to get excited, the work to do, and the historical neglect that great people in this space are working to address.
Prof Cassandra Szoeke, Academic clinician, author, speaker, consultant neurologist and physician.
A/Professor Cleola Anderisz, CEO of the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Dr Melina Georgousakis, Founding Director, Franklin Women.
Dina Titkova. Senior Manager, Entrepreneurship, UNSW Founders.
ADHD and why women are late to diagnosis?
Get ready for an open and frank conversation about ADHD in women, including how it’s traditionally been overlooked, and the growing research in this space that can lead to better outcomes for those with ADHD.
Eman Allouche, The naturopath and nutritionist will
Samantha Nuttall, founder, The Neurodivergent Coach.
Tara Ladd, founder and brand strategist, Your One & Only
And thanks to City of Sydney Councillor Yvonne Weldon, who will share the Welcome to Country, plus Assistant Mininster for Health Rebecca White who will share a short address.
Plus, our event MC Yasmin London. Yasmin is a former elite athlete, ex police officer, and global online safety expert. She brings energy, fun and authenticity into every room.