The Women’s Health House

Health & research

Oct 25

Who: Norske kvinners sanitetsforening/ Bergens sanitetsforening

What: An organization providing activities that enhance women's health, quality of life, and networking.

Where: Bergen

Web: The women’s health house

N.K.S. Kvinnehelsehus Bergen (The Women’s Health House in Bergen) opened in August 2021, as the first of its kind. Run by Bergen Sanitetsforening, the house aims to strengthen women's health, quality of life and networks. Although it has a focus on women’s health, everyone is welcome. Gender equality in women's health is a central idea, and men are also encouraged to participate. It should be easy to drop in for a meeting, a cup of coffee or just to find out what's going on at the house, which is why Kvinnehelsehuset is open to everyone, Monday to Friday, 9-15. There are also highchairs, toys, etc. available if someone needs to bring their children along to any events.

The house works to promote gender equality in health services and research by providing gender-based knowledge about health and health conditions for all women and with a particular focus on women in vulnerable situations. It operates as a low-threshold support service and social meeting place, in addition to focusing on health promotion and setting the agenda for future debate. It is not a replacement for public health services, but a supplement.

We have three special focus areas: women's health and inclusion, mental health and life skills in young people, and mental health and life skills for the elderly.

Within these focus areas, we have many varied activities, including:

- Språkvenn: Weekly open meetings to practice Norwegian around particular topics, for example discussing health videos that show different aspects of the Norwegian healthcare system (such as What is a “fastlege”/GP?)

- Motherhood: An 8-week support program for mothers with a migrant background on how to raise children in a new country.

- Barseltreff på tvers/Mums group: A meeting place for mothers (fathers are also welcome) on maternity leave coming from a wide variety of backgrounds. The aim is to make contacts and counteract loneliness across cultures and social strata with a focus on discussing relevant topics.

-Meeting place for refugee women: The house also functions as a meeting place for various immigrant groups, such as Afghani, Iranian and Ukrainian refugee women, to interact, socialize, and organize activities and events.

- Multicultural Women's Political Meeting Place (FKM): Meeting place for all women with a focus on human rights and democracy. Organized as a Saturday café, with professional presentations and group discussions.

- Women's Health Days: five events in September on sexual and reproductive health available in different native languages by using a translator, in collaboration with the Norwegian Cancer Society and Amathea. Information about and offers of free pap smears and contraception. Open to all, in 2022 we had 102 participants.

- Women's health conference: Annual conference on various health topics, open to all.

- Sisterhood: A support network for young girls to strengthen self-esteem and healthy attitudes. The aim is to learn how to set boundaries, stand up for themselves and be a good fellow sister. Run in groups up to 10 girls for one semester.

-Women in focus: Monthly meetings focusing on various women's health-related topics that deserves attention.

- KOMP: Lending simple tablets to isolated seniors for contact with family and friends.

- Celebration of International Day of Older Persons (eldredagen) and Golden Senior Week: Annual events for the elderly with a focus on women's health.