Gai Brodtmann (Canberra, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday I spoke in the House about endometriosis and how one in 10 women suffer from it—one in 10 women in our community every day are suffering from this insidious disease. The response to my speech has been overwhelming, I can assure you. I have received 31,000 views and 550 shares of that speech; and it has gone right around Australia and throughout the world—hello, Brazil.

I would like to share some of the stories that I got from that video. Clare wrote:

Endometriosis is evil. No more should it be a silent, unknown women's condition. It is a disease that slowly destroys your body, your social life, relationships, dreams of becoming a mother, careers/work, financial stability, self-esteem, sex life, ability to function normally, ability to parent fully and your mental state.

Women spoke of the need to break down the taboo on the issue—to have the conversation and to raise awareness about this insidious disease. From the response I got yesterday it seems that no-one is talking about this. We have to end the silence on endometriosis. One in 10 women in our community is suffering from this every day. I encourage my colleagues in the chamber to get out there, raise awareness about this insidious disease and its symptoms and have the conversation with your community and please end the silence about endometriosis.