Photo: From left: Dean of Health Sciences Professor Sarah Lewis, Dr Rakime Elmir and Dr Sadia Hossain.
Women’s Awareness in Reproductive ‘Aafiya (WARDA) is a Western Sydney University project funded by Investing in Women, dedicated to promoting culturally sensitive reproductive health awareness within Muslim women. Through widespread community engagement, WARDA seeks to address and bridge gaps in reproductive health access.
The School of Health Sciences held a Pink Ribbon morning tea on Wednesday 23 October 2024, at the Western Sydney University Campbelltown campus in Dharawal country, supporting cancer prevention efforts of National Breast Cancer Foundation.
The morning tea was hosted by Campbelltown campus Provost and Dean of Health Sciences Professor Sarah Lewis, who is also a co-investigator of WARDA and advocate for women’s health. The event featured a presentation by WARDA’s lead Dr Sadia Hossain highlighting the community-centric approach of WARDA.
Distinguished Professor Vice Chancellor of Western Sydney University George Williams with Dr Sadia Hossain.
WARDA plans to begin co-design workshops in the upcoming months to amplify community voices in reproductive health services, and create health resources for and with Muslim women.
The morning tea drew attendance from the wider Campbelltown campus community and successfully raised $1902 to support Breast cancer prevention efforts. Distinguished Professor George Williams, Vice Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University were among the invited guests.
Dr Saadiah Goolam from Australian Islamic Medical Association and others from the community were present at the event and appreciated hearing about WARDA on a University platform.
A/Prof Rakime Elmir, a co-investigator of WARDA shared her thoughts about the presentation, “An overview of the WARDA project provided an opportunity for participants to gain insight into the significance of the underrepresentation of resources to support the reproductive health needs of Muslim women. The project is crafted in a unique way that it aims to authentically engage Muslim women and community in the co-design of resources. The project is underpinned by a health promotion lens where Muslim women’s needs and voices are at the forefront, enabling, promoting, and empowering participation. We know, when women are educated about their reproductive health needs, they will be equipped with the health literacy required to navigate health services.”
WARDA is inviting Muslim women in the community aged 18-45 to join the upcoming co-design workshops, which will be held across NSW over the next few months following an ethics approval. Mosque communities, organisations, and Muslim health professionals keen to be involved in this work are encouraged to get in touch through wardansw@westernsydney.edu.au.
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