Episode Summary

Why are women still being misdiagnosed, dismissed, or left out of medical research altogether? In this very first episode of The New Script, Makenzie Thomas and Frances Goh sit down with Sally Hasler, CEO of Women’s Health Victoria, to explore the systemic inequities shaping women’s health today, and what it will take to change them.

Sally introduces powerful concepts like medical misogyny and below the bikini line health, and explains how gender-blind services and unconscious bias affect the way women and gender diverse people receive care. She also shares candid insights on the barriers to abortion access, the ongoing stigma in reproductive health, and why equity must be at the heart of reform.

Beyond policy and advocacy, Sally talks about her leadership journey, the importance of collective action across government, health, and community, and how she balances the demands of running a statewide organisation with her own wellbeing.

You’ll also hear why including women in medical research from the start is essential, how initiatives like 1800 My Options and the Labia Library are changing the conversation, and why this moment in women’s health must be used to create lasting systems change.

Time Stamps

01:09 – Welcome to The New Script

02:35 – Introducing Sally Hasler, CEO of Women’s Health Victoria

06:22 – Sally’s career path and passion for gender equity

08:25 – Where the gaps in women’s health exist today

11:50 – Defining gender-blind services, gender bias & medical misogyny

17:27 – Social determinants of health and structural inequity

20:05 – Barriers to abortion access and “abortion deserts”

23:40 – Why stigma persists even after decriminalization

25:45 – Inside Women’s Health Victoria: services, advocacy & the Labia Library

28:35 – How collective advocacy drives systems change

31:29 – Sally’s leadership journey and lessons as a first-time CEO

34:46 – Balancing advocacy work with personal health and energy

37:05 – The missing conversation in women’s health: abortion as mainstream care

38:55 – Looking 10 years ahead: embedding lasting reform

40:43 – If Sally could rewrite the script: women in medical research

42:12 – Closing reflections and what’s next

Resources Mentioned

🙋‍♀️ Sally's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyhasler/

📞 1800 My Options: https://1800myoptions.org.au/

— free, confidential phone and web service for contraception, abortion, and sexual health

🌐 Women’s Health Victoria: https://whv.org.au/

— statewide feminist health organisation leading advocacy, research, and services

📚 The Labia Library: https://labialibrary.org.au/

— celebrates body diversity and breaks stigma around anatomy

🤝 Counterpart: https://counterpart.org.au/

— peer support service for women and gender diverse people affected by cancer, run by Women's Health Victoria

📰 “Medical misogyny” — investigative series by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald:

https://www.whv.org.au/ceo-blog-the-age-medical-misogyny/

— Sally Hasler reflects on the powerful reporting and its impact

Acknowledgment of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we record and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters, and culture.

Disclaimer

The New Script is a podcast created for educational and awareness-raising purposes only. The conversations you’ll hear are not intended to be medical advice.

Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for any personal medical concerns or decisions.

✨ Connect with Frances and Makenzie

Frances LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frances-goh/

Makenzie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/makenziethomas/

The Day One Network

The New Script is part of Day One, the podcast network dedicated to founders, operators & investors. https://dayone.fm/newsletter