My Body My Choice (MBMC) is a health promotion program targeted at young women and gender diverse people. Young women are one of the most at-risk populations in Australia today. The ages between 12-24 is a vulnerable time for young women, as it was identified as the most susceptible years for health risks, poor mental health, body dissatisfaction, preconception health and lifelong health behaviours.
MBMC was developed to help these young people under the age of 25 improve their health through providing knowledge, skills and resources that will allow them to thrive in their youth and beyond into their adult life. The key programmatic objectives revolve around four key topics – health, mental health, body image, and relationships. The information is real-world applicable, having been co-designed with young people and sector experts, extensively covering four key topics:
The MBMC program aims to improve quality of life for young people, as well as broader communities. The program focuses on empowering participants to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing. In a recent delivery, 82% of participants reported feeling more empowered to take control of their health after completing the program.
Key outcomes expected include increased access to health information and services, greater engagement in health testing and prevention strategies, and enhanced understanding of how to access these resources. Participants will also gain knowledge in preventing and identifying mental health issues early, leading to increased positive attitudes toward mental health, reduced stigma, and better body image. The program also aims to lower rates of eating disorders and help participants critically engage with the impacts of social media on self-esteem. Additionally, participants will be better equipped to engage in safe, equal relationships and will experience reduced stigma surrounding sexuality. Early intervention and prevention of gendered violence are also expected outcomes.
Success will be measured by improved participant confidence, increased access to resources, and positive shifts in mental health, body image, and relationship dynamics, demonstrating an overall enhancement in participants' health and wellbeing. Long-term, MBMC seeks to empower young women and gender-diverse individuals to reach their full potential.
Data collection for the My Body My Choice (MBMC) program will involve gathering both quantitative and qualitative feedback throughout the program's implementation. An evaluation framework, developed with an external expert, will guide the process, focusing on key areas of improvement and expected outcomes. This will include participant engagement levels, knowledge gained from each module, and increased empowerment in line with program goals.
At the program’s completion, participants will be invited to complete a feedback survey to assess the program's effectiveness and its immediate outcomes. Additional stakeholders, such as youth leaders, schoolteachers, and peer workers involved in delivering the program, will also provide insights on observed impacts and overall effectiveness.
Long-term data will be collected through follow-up evaluations with participants to measure shifts in attitudes and assess sustained changes in behavior, confidence, and wellbeing over time. All data gathered will be analyzed to evaluate the initiative’s overall success, inform continuous improvement, and guide future program iterations. Lessons learned from this data will be shared publicly, ensuring transparency and helping other organizations benefit from the program’s findings.
Women’s Health and Equality Queensland (WHEQ) are leaders in women’s health, gender equity and the primary prevention of violence in Queensland. WHEQ is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of priority groups and marginalised cohorts and advocating for gender equality. Our vision is for women to be equitably resourced, healthy, safe and thriving.
With over 40 years of experience, WHEQ delivers statewide health services through recovery and prevention programs. Our office, based in South Brisbane currently offers face-to-face and telephone/virtual recovery support through counselling, case-management and therapeutic groups to women and gender diverse people who have experienced gender-based violence. WHEQ’s prevention work encompasses community education, professional training, and youth programs aimed at preventing violence and promoting gender equity. Key initiatives include the Youth Ally and My Body My Choice programs, as well as workforce development through the Equal and Together Alliance.
Our purpose is to advance the health and wellbeing of Queensland women, which we achieve through leading transformative impacts by addressing root causes of gendered violence, gender disparities and health inequities for women. Through their comprehensive approach to recovery and prevention, WHEQ empowers women to achieve optimal physical, mental, and social well-being, enabling them to thrive and participate fully in society.
