Endometriosis Australia supports AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 to keep women and girls in the game

The initiative brings women’s health into stadium fan zones during Endometriosis Awareness Month to help prevent young people being sidelined due to period pain.

With funding provided by the Australian Government, Endometriosis Australia (EA) has today announced it will support the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, bringing endometriosis education and awareness directly to fans during the tournament this March, which coincides with Endometriosis Awareness Month.

For the first time, Endometriosis Australia will have volunteers embedded within a major international sporting event, activating across the tournament’s new Women and Girls Health and Wellbeing Hub in stadium fan zones in Sydney, Perth and the Gold Coast.

Fans visiting the Health Hub will be invited to take part in engaging activities designed to educate, empower and spark conversation around menstrual health and endometriosis, including period pain simulators, symptom recognition activities and opportunities to speak with volunteers and ambassadors.

Endometriosis affects one in seven women and those presumed female at birth (PFAB) by the age of 49, with symptoms often beginning in adolescence and impacting participation in sport, education and everyday life. Pain related to periods remains a leading reason young people disengage from sport, miss training or consider dropping out altogether.

By embedding education and lived experience within a major international sporting event, the initiative seeks to shift attitudes early and reinforce that pain should not be a barrier to participation, confidence or future pathways in sport.

A key focus of the Health Hub is inclusion. Endometriosis Australia will provide translated resources and multilingual support within the fan zones to ensure people across Australia, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, can access trusted health information and support.

Chair of Endometriosis Australia Monica Forlano said sport provided a powerful platform to reach diverse communities at scale.

“Sport should be a place where people feel supported to participate, not pushed out because pain is dismissed or misunderstood,” Ms Forlano said.

“Our involvement in the Health Hubs is about supporting people who are limited by pain and symptoms in participating in sport and giving them the confidence to seek support early.”

Chief Operating Officer of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™ Sarah Walsh said the tournament aimed to create impact beyond the pitch.

“The AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 is more than a tournament – it’s a platform to inspire and empower. These matches shouldn’t be missed, and we want the experience around them to be just as memorable. By placing health and wellbeing at the heart of the fan experience, we’re encouraging everyone to dream fearless and be part of something bigger. We thank these great charities for helping deliver what will be a truly great match-day experience.”

Endometriosis Australia ambassadors, including current and former elite athletes, will also play a role throughout the tournament by sharing lived experience and reinforcing the importance of recognising symptoms early and staying connected to sport.

Quotes Attributable to Assistant Minister White:

“Seeing women’s health highlighted on a stage as significant as the AFC Women’s Asian Cup is a powerful reminder that endometriosis is not just a personal issue, it is a national health priority.

“For too long, women’s pain has been dismissed or minimised. Partnerships like this help break down barriers, reduce stigma and encourage more women and girls to seek the care they deserve.

“Through our historic investment in women’s health, the Albanese Government is expanding endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics, strengthening Medicare and building a health system that listens to women.”

By aligning with the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, Endometriosis Australia will engage tens of thousands of fans throughout March, amplifying awareness during Endometriosis Awareness Month.

Fans attending matches are encouraged to arrive early and visit the Women and Girls Health and Wellbeing Hub to take part in the activations and learn more.

For more information about endometriosis and available support, visit endometriosisaustralia.org.

ENDS

Endometriosis Australia Media Contact:
Savannah Fielder | [email protected] | +61 434 866 053

For more information:
www.endometriosisaustralia.org

About Endometriosis Australia:
Endometriosis Australia is a nationally accredited charity and the peak body for endometriosis in Australia. Since 2013, the organisation has been leading the charge nationally and internationally to increase endometriosis awareness, provide education programs, and fund research to improve the lives of those affected by this challenging condition.

Endometriosis Australia advocated for and supported the development of Australia’s first National Action Plan for Endometriosis (NAPE), aimed at improving patient and medical community understanding of the disease. This was a continuation of the organisation driving the first discussion of endometriosis in Parliament in 2017. Endometriosis Australia is a nationally accredited charity that raises awareness, educates and funds research for endometriosis. We are committed to empowering patients with the knowledge to be in control of their healthcare and promoting patient-centered care solutions.

About AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™:
Australia will proudly host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™, with thanks to the support of the Australian Government, across five venues in the three Host Cities, from 1-21 March. 27 matches will be played at Perth Stadium, Perth Rectangular Stadium, Gold Coast Stadium, Western Sydney Stadium and Stadium Australia.