Let’s Talk the Gender Health Gap

Welcome to episode 2. EPISODE 2: Let’s talk the gender health gap In this week’s podcast we talk the gender health gap. What is it? How does it affect the gender pay gap and why do you need to know about it. Key points discussed

In 2021 the UK Government submitted a call for evidence which means they requested our views on women’s health to help inform the development of the government’s Women’s Health Strategy.
The government has said Women’s health and care will be further improved following the historic appointment of Dame Lesley Regan as the government’s first ever Women’s Health Ambassador for England. Which is really exciting in terms of working towards closing the gender health gap. Which will contribute to the gender pay gap.
In July 2022 Wimbledon is finally addressing women wearing white to play tennis after all these years. The Wimbledon Championships date back to 1877, one of the most distinctive features of the esteemed sporting competition is the very strict white dress code imposed on the players who take part.
One in 4 women consider leaving their job as a result of menopause, and ensuring women have the right support in place to stay in the workplace for longer will not only enable them to live fulfilled lives but help to boost the economy and help tackle the rising costs of living. To demonstrate this, the Civil Service recently signed the Wellbeing of Women Menopause Workplace Pledge, committing to ensuring those going through menopause are supported.
Around 1 in 3 respondents said women feel comfortable talking about health issues in their workplace (35%), and 1 in 2 said their current or previous workplace had been supportive with regard to health issues (53%).
Of those who said a health condition or disability had impacted their experience in the workplace (62%), more than 3 in 4 said it had increased their stress levels (76%) and 2 in 3 said it had impacted their mental health (67%).
It’s pretty staggering that 62%, so 2/3rds of those surveyed said a health condition or disability had impacted their experience in the workplace. That leaves just a ⅓ who haven’t.
Women also suggested that the government and employers should:

– continue to promote flexible working arrangements and facilitate access to occupational health services to enable women to manage their health needs better and communicate this to their managers – create new policies to better support women in work, such as paid leave and counselling for miscarriage and baby loss, and reasonable adjustments for women who are going through the menopause, or living with painful gynaecological conditions – provide better support for women seeking to re-enter the workplace or progress their careers after maternity leave, and while living with or recovering from female health conditions If you live with women’s health issues and have a story to share, I would love to hear from you. Contact Jobs for Women today.