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It’s also entirely unnecessary, especially when many women desire to remain in the workforce, to continue reaching career milestones, and to fulfil their goals. Instead, they are being held back by stigma, and by a health system and workforce that have little desire to understand women’s health – especially once they hit midlife.
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We shouldn’t allow a culture in which women go through this alone, shamed into not discussing their experiences, and often let down by health practitioners who aren’t appropriately educated or informed.
Yet, through the course of the inquiry hearings so far, the women who have given evidence have provided simple solutions. Flexibility and awareness. These two simple concepts can be easily integrated into any workplace or policy. Women going through menopause aren’t seeking special leave; we don’t need to be sent away until we “get better”. We aren’t sick. Research from the UK indicates the availability of menopause leave further perpetuates stigma and unconscious bias, rather than providing practical solutions.
Women going through menopause need clear medical information and understanding. Understanding affords flexibility, such as the option to work from home when dealing with insomnia or the comfort to take off a jacket when you’re burning up, as I’ve had to do many times in the Senate, and not be seen as disrespectful or judged as unprofessional. The freedom to turn down the heat, literally and figuratively. Navigating menopause shouldn’t be doom and gloom for women, from a human or professional perspective.
I’m looking forward to the course of this inquiry giving women experiencing menopause a long-awaited voice. There is real multipartisan support to improve the lives of all women navigating this natural part of their lives.
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Menopause isn’t the “end of useful” life for women; it’s simply a stage of life. One we need to do better to address.
Maria Kovacic is a Liberal senator for NSW and member of the Senate committee currently looking into issues related to menopause and perimenopause.
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