International Women's Day - let's talk about the health gap!

Let's talk about the health gap!

Today, as we celebrate the achievements and resilience of women around the world, we, at Don't Carry It Alone, are committed to shining a light on the persistent health gap that affects millions of women globally. Despite advancements in healthcare, women continue to face unique challenges that often go unnoticed or unaddressed.

One such challenge is the issue of menstrual health and conditions like Endometriosis, which significantly impact women's and those assigned female at birth wellbeing and quality of life. According to a recent article by McKinsey & Company, titled "Closing the Women's Health Gap: A $1 Trillion Opportunity to Improve Lives and Economies," addressing these issues presents not only a moral imperative but also a tremendous economic opportunity.

Menstrual health is a fundamental aspect of women's overall wellbeing, yet it remains a taboo topic in many societies. This stigma often leads to inadequate access to education, resources, and healthcare services related to menstruation. As a result, millions of women and girls face challenges such as limited access to menstrual hygiene products, lack of proper sanitation facilities, and misinformation about menstrual health.

Moreover, conditions like Endometriosis further exacerbate the health gap experienced by women. Endometriosis is a painful disorder in which tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus, grows outside the uterus. It affects an estimated 1 in 10 women during their reproductive years, causing chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and many other debilitating symptoms. Despite its prevalence, Endometriosis is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, leading to lengthy delays in treatment and needless suffering for countless women.

Additionally, addressing women's health requires recognising the significance of the menopause transition. Menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive years and brings about significant hormonal changes that can affect physical and mental health. Symptoms such as hot flushes, changes in mood patterns, brain fog and sleep disturbances can significantly impact a woman's quality of life during this stage. Menopause remains a topic surrounded by stigma and misinformation, leading many women to suffer in silence.

Addressing the health gap experienced by women, is at the heart of our mission at Don't Carry It Alone. We believe that every woman deserves access to comprehensive healthcare and support throughout her life journey.

Furthermore, we believe that it is essential to recognize the importance of managing women's health in the workplace, including supporting women managing conditions like Endometriosis and menopause. It goes without saying that women make invaluable contributions to the workforce, and addressing their health needs, is crucial for fostering a healthy and inclusive work environment. By providing supportive policies and accommodations for women's health concerns, employers can enhance productivity, retention rates, and overall wellbeing among female employees.

By investing in women's health and addressing women's health needs in the workplace, we empower individuals to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives, unlocking significant socio-economic benefits. As the McKinsey article highlights, closing the women's health gap represents a $1 trillion opportunity to improve lives and economies worldwide.

On this International Women's Day, Don't Carry It Alone is committed to closing the health gap and building a world where every woman's health is valued, protected, and prioritised. Together, we can create a future where all women have the opportunity to live their lives and pursue their careers to the fullest, free from the constraints of health disparities and stigmas.

McKinsey article as mentioned above: https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/closing-the-womens-health-gap-a-1-trillion-dollar-opportunity-to-improve-lives-and-economies