I’m joining thousands of people around the globe on 10 September to celebrate the International GYN Awareness Day, an initiative of GAIN Inc that aims to create a higher awareness of GYN and Sexual Health.

“It is imperative that we speak openly about women’s issues because they affect everyone in our community.

Everyone has a mother, a sister, an aunt, a daughter, a female partner or neighbour who may be affected by a GYN issue,” shares award winning Kath Mazzella OAM, a GYN cancer survivor of 17 years and Founder of GAIN Inc.

GYN conditions include polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, infertility, menopause, prolapse uterus, STI’s, vulval, vaginal and anal conditions; all of which involve a high level of pain, discomfort and personal suffering and many of which women choose to suffer in silence due to the associated stigmas.

“With the increasing rates of GYN conditions and Sexually Transmitted Infections, especially amongst remote communities, the need to be sharing more openly at the community level is urgent,” shares Mazzella.

“Being more aware of women’s gynaecology enables a much higher level of communication between doctor and patient, and patient and family.”