Over 1.2 billion women will be menopausal or post-menopausal by 2030, yet most workplaces still lack the policies and support systems needed to help them thrive.
Research shows that supporting women through this life stage could boost the global economy by more than $120 billion USD annually, thanks to improved retention, productivity and wellbeing.
On World Menopause Day (20 October), a coalition of global health and development leaders has launched the Power in Menopause Declaration – a groundbreaking initiative calling on the World Health Organization (WHO), governments, and corporations to make menopause a public health and workplace priority.
Despite being a universal transition, menopause remains overlooked, misunderstood and under-researched. By 2030, four in five women in some stage of menopause will experience symptoms that impact their health, relationships and careers. Yet few workplaces have formal policies, most health professionals receive limited training, and many women continue to suffer in silence due to stigma and misinformation.
WHY MENOPAUSE SHOULD BE ON EVERY EMPLOYER’S AGENDA
“Menopause is a universal experience that radically reshapes women’s lives,” says Katja Iversen, co-lead of the Power in Menopause campaign and CEO of the Museum for the United Nations – UN Live. “It’s time we give visibility and validation to this natural transition that has been dismissed for too long. Our time has come.”
Far from being only a health matter, menopause is also an economic and workplace issue. Women over 45 represent the fastest-growing segment of the global workforce, yet nearly one in four have quit or considered leaving their jobs because of unmanaged symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, insomnia and anxiety.
The financial cost is immense, but the opportunity is greater. “No one should face menopause alone, uninformed or untreated,” says Saundra Pelletier, campaign co-lead and CEO of Evofem Biosciences. “Employers have a crucial role to play in normalising conversations, providing education and creating environments where women can thrive at every stage of life.”
CALL FOR ACTION: GLOBAL DECLARATION FOR CHANGE
The Power in Menopause Declaration is the first-ever global advocacy campaign calling for comprehensive menopause policies, medical training and workplace standards. The campaign urges:
- WHO to develop global guidelines on menopause care and awareness.
- National governments to include menopause in women’s health policies and funding.
- Corporations to create menopause-friendly workplaces, with education, flexible policies and support networks.
Already backed by 20 global leaders across industries, the campaign aims to break the silence, end neglect and ensure that every woman – regardless of geography or income – can access the care and understanding she deserves.
WHAT EMPLOYERS CAN DO NOW
Businesses that act early will not only support their employees, but they’ll gain a competitive edge.
Here’s how:
- Educate and train managers to recognise and respond with empathy.
- Offer flexible working options and health benefits that include menopause support.
- Create safe spaces for open conversation and normalise menopause as part of workplace well-being.
- Supporting women through menopause isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s smart business.
- Join the Movement. Click here to sign the declaration, show your company’s support, and be part of the global movement to empower women through every stage of life.
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