International Women’s Day 2025: staying relevant and accessible in a challenging climate

Today is International Women’s Day. It’s a day to celebrate and advocate for wāhine. And this feels particularly important in 2025, with women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights under threat across the globe following the reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule and the termination of all US Government funding agreements with UNFPA.

But what can we, as experts in sexual and reproductive health, do to stay relevant and accessible in this challenging climate? 

We can continue to work on exciting new initiatives to improve access to our services, especially for Māori and other groups that face inequities within the health system. We can continue our valuable mahi online and in communities across the motu. And we can advocate for policies or changes to improve women’s health. 

New initiatives 

Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa's organisational kaupapa means we're always looking to do things better, to provide information and services in new and exciting ways.

For example, in the past year, we’ve implemented some exciting new initiatives. Here’s just a taste:

In September, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori saw us promote and share te reo Māori and te ao Māori widely across the organisation: through posters, stickers, and music in clinics; in a social media takeover; and blog posts written by kaimahi (staff); and translated webpages.

In October, we were happy to support the New Zealand Herpes Foundation’s campaign to make NZ “the best place in the world to have herpes”.

The following month, a Community Health Promoter launched the Creating Safe Spaces photography project for White Ribbon Day (25 November), featuring 10 tāne working in the Tauranga community speaking out about sexual violence.  
 
Also in November, we welcomed the Wāhine Māori and Contraception research report which provided valuable insight into the barriers that prevent wāhine from accessing the services and specific contraception options they prefer to use.

Then in December 2024 we launched Emotional Support Bits, a powerful and playful initiative – complete with larger-than-life plushies – that encourages Kiwis to open up about their sexual health.

And just this week, we launched our online booking system. This makes it easier and faster for clients to book appointments and gives them the opportunity to do so in Te Reo Māori if they choose. 

Working in communities 

An important part of our mahi is working with schools, parents, rangatahi, special interest groups, community groups, and professionals across the motu to learn about — or teach other people about — sexuality, relationships, health, and wellbeing.

This includes attending community events, and providing professional development, community workshops, and support with delivering relationships and sexuality education. Recently, for example, we’ve attended Te Matatini and Big Gay Out, and held workshops and courses online and in person for schools and communities.

Advocating for women’s health 

We continue to call for action on a range of issues that impact on women’s health. In recent months, this has included calling for the government to take urgent action to eliminate cervical cancer in Aotearoa and welcoming the Education Review Office’s recent recommended changes to relationships and sexuality education.  

Looking forward, and as we have for the last 88 years, we will continue to use our voice and expertise to weigh in on matters that impact on women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.