In 2013, realising that there was no event dedicated to women's health in Australia, Jean Hailes for Women's Health ran the first national Women's Health Week. Thousands of women across Australia subscribed to participate in a week of events and online activities, learning more about their health.

Now in its ninth year, Women's Health Week continues to gain groundswell nationally. In 2020 (despite COVID-19), more than 90,000 women participated in more than 1400 events, and over 45,000 women subscribed to the online campaign.

Women's Health Week attracts the support of organisations, high profile ambassadors, businesses, community, sporting and media groups across the country and is now a permanent feature on the Australian calendar taking place in the first week of September.

Jean Hailes for Women's Health is a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the knowledge of women's health throughout the various stages of their lives. The goal continues to be to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining good health and wellbeing and preventing future health problems for all women and girls in Australia.

This year, Isobel Marshall and Eloise Hall are proud first-ever joint ambassadors of Women's Health Week.

Co-founders of TABOO, a social enterprise business selling its own brand of organic sanitary products, Isobel and Eloise are committed to breaking down menstrual stigma and ending period poverty.

Their business idea turned into a passion when the then-teenagers discovered that 30 per cent of girls in developing countries drop out of school once they start having periods due to a lack of access to appropriate menstrual health care and education.

A successful crowdfunding campaign in 2018 enabled the young entrepreneurs to pay for their first order of TABOO sanitary products. Now, 100 per cent of net profits go to support education programs for girls and women in Sierra Leone and Uganda and donates pads and tampons to disadvantaged women in Australia.

In recognition of her work, Isobel was named the 2021 Young Australian of the Year.

"I am passionate about the role that health plays in ensuring women are able to work, live and enjoy life to their full potential, with the care and understanding of their body that they deserve," Isobel said.

Visit womenshealthweek.com.au for information on events and how to get involved.