Full Breakdown
Addressing the Crisis of Women's Health: The Need for a Feminist Playbook and Workplace Support
10/11/2025, 5:01:59 AM
The Core Narrative: A Call for Systemic Change
The current landscape of women's health and rights is marked by significant challenges, necessitating a comprehensive response that includes the development of a Feminist Playbook. This initiative, spearheaded by Women Deliver, aims to address systemic issues affecting women and girls globally, particularly in the context of rising anti-rights movements.
Background & Context: The Growing Threats to Women's Rights
Maliha Khan, CEO of Women Deliver, emphasizes that the advocacy sector has mirrored the power imbalances it seeks to dismantle. As anti-rights forces gain traction, the need for a new framework that supports women and girls becomes urgent. The Feminist Playbook is envisioned as a collaborative tool that not only responds to crises but also reimagines systems to empower women.
The Feminist Playbook: A Collective Vision
Scheduled for launch at the Women Deliver Conference in April 2026 in Narrm (Melbourne), the Feminist Playbook will draw on diverse voices and lived experiences. It aims to foster collective power and accountability among various stakeholders, including civil society, grassroots organizers, and governments. The process of co-creation will involve extensive dialogue and reflection, ensuring that the Playbook is rooted in the realities faced by women globally.
The Impact of Menopause on Women's Workforce Participation
In the UK, approximately 13 million women are navigating perimenopause, significantly impacting their professional lives. A report indicates that this transition costs the UK economy £1.7 billion annually due to lost productivity and increased unemployment among affected women. Many women report feeling unsupported in the workplace, leading to a talent drain that undermines economic growth.
Criticism & Opposition: The Need for Awareness and Support
Despite the growing recognition of menopause as a critical issue, many workplaces lack adequate support systems. Only 25% of UK companies have specific menopause policies, highlighting a significant gap in awareness and education. Critics argue that addressing menopause is not merely a matter of fairness but essential for economic sustainability. Forward-thinking employers who implement comprehensive menopause policies report benefits such as reduced absenteeism and improved retention of experienced staff.
Official Statements & Responses: Voices from the Field
Jennifer Gillivan, CEO of the IWK Foundation, notes that a staggering 75% of women in the Maritimes have delayed seeking care due to fears of being dismissed or judged. This sentiment is echoed by Bami Adenipekun, who highlights the unique challenges faced by women from ethnic minority backgrounds during menopause, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive support.
What's Next: Building a New Framework for Women's Health
The Feminist Playbook and the ongoing discussions surrounding menopause are part of a broader movement to reshape how women's health issues are addressed. As the Women Deliver Conference approaches, the emphasis will be on creating actionable commitments from various stakeholders to ensure that women's health and rights are prioritized in policy-making and workplace practices.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If we get this right, I believe that this could be the spark that ignites imagining and building a system built by and for girls and women.” — Maliha Khan, CEO of Women Deliver
- “If we don't have healthy, strong women, we don't have a healthy, strong society. It's just that,” — Jennifer Gillivan, CEO of the IWK Foundation
- “7bn we're haemorrhaging annually isn't just a women's issue - it's an economic crisis hiding in plain sight.” — Entrepreneurial Analysis on Menopause Impact
This comprehensive approach to women's health and rights underscores the necessity of systemic change, collective action, and the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by women in various contexts.
