Endometriosis is not a political

plaything. It is a very, very serious medical condition. It is a condition which deserves equally serious attention.

There were a raft of negative comments on social media yesterday when the partner of our PM came out in support of $58m in funding for specialist treatment centres for endometriosis. I suspect there would have been negative comments from the same people if she had said nothing.

What really annoyed me was that these people were using this woman and her medical condition as a political plaything.  There were comments about her seeking sympathy, about her using her condition to push a political agenda and much more. These same people have been vociferous in their support of some women who have allegedly and actually been treated badly. They have done so as long as they see some sort of political advantage for themselves. 

If anyone was attempting to use the issue to their political advantage then it is those who were criticising the PM's partner for speaking out in support of the funding. What is more they were abusing her and any other woman like her. 

They won't see it that way of course. They won't see it as causing some women to hesitate speaking up. Our current Federal MP has the same medical issue. She once admitted to me that there were mornings when she does not feel like getting up because she feels so unwell. She will never be able to have children. The snide remark from another politician about that must have been absolutely devastating. Despite that and many other things she has done a lot of good for the electorate.  I am sorry that she feels she cannot continue to handle the incessant nastiness of the position she is in. Perhaps if she did not feel so unwell so often it might have been easier.

But now I am wondering how often it is that women who really do have something to say are drowned out by others who hold opposing points of view or who twist the situation for their own benefit. I know there are men who don't speak up too but is it a bigger problem still for women? I have a feeling it might be.

I admire the Prime Minister's partner for speaking up. She has not sought the limelight. Some have criticised her for not being more active of course - and again some of those would equally have criticised her for being active. It is a game which cannot be won whichever way you go but on this occasion what she did showed courage. I hope it encourages other women with the serious health issues associated with the condition to speak up.