Local businesswoman calls for menopause support
A business mentor and digital marketing coach who works from her home in Umina is calling for workplace support for menopause.
"Talking about menopause is crucial," said Ms Kate Toon, responding to Menopause Awareness Month.
She said that until five years ago, no one spoke openly about it.
"Every woman will go through menopause at some point in their life, but it remains a taboo topic with a lack of resources.
"Knowing where to turn to for support and having open conversations with friends, colleagues and family can make a world of difference."
Ms Toon described herself as a 50-year-old entrepreneur from Umina, who was navigating menopause while managing a business and caring for her elderly mother - facing the challenges of balancing family and work amid the emotional and physical impacts of menopause.
"Menopause affects everyone in different ways: For me, it affected my confidence and energy, presenting as brain fog in meetings."
However, Kate said not everything about menopause had been negative, having found creative ways to earn income without needing to be physically present.
She said Dove's Menopause Insight study showed only six per cent of women received workplace support, 44 per cent experienced lower self-esteem and 46 per cent reported a drop in self-confidence during menopause.
She recommended a new menopause website with resources for both women and businesses, launched by Menopause Friendly Australia.
"Combining the challenges with work, support for women and businesses going through menopause journeys is definitely something we need to be talking about," she said.
SOURCE:
Media release, 24 Oct 2024
Sonia Selvakumar, Forward