Women-only spaces have always been a thing. Some are so societally entrenched that no one bats an eyelid. Think women’s health services, bathrooms, schools and shelters. Others, like gyms and workspaces, are a more recent addition. And then there are events such as the Ladies Lounge at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart, that cause quite a stir.

Historically, many cultures have embraced the concept of female seclusion to provide places or activities that are safe, supportive or empowering.

When Amy Hart and Crystal Wells decided to start A Place to Pause, a series of Victoria-based women-only reading retreats, in 2024, it was simply something they wanted for themselves: a place to read with no guilt and no pressure.

McIver’s Ladies Baths in Coogee were rebuilt in the 1920s

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