Last month, Chamber and 50:50 Parliament hosted a ‘Welcome to Parliament’ event for newly elected MPs, focusing on women’s health. Several MPs, health professionals, and campaigners highlighted the current issues surrounding women’s health and the urgent need to address them. This event was kindly sponsored by Bayer, a leader in both pharmaceuticals and agricultural solutions, which has a long-standing commitment to improving women’s health through innovation and advocacy.
Our first speaker, British journalist, TV presenter, and Menopause Champion, Mariella Frostrup, addressed the critical need for greater support and recognition of women’s health issues, particularly menopause, in workplace policies and healthcare, urging newly elected MPs to champion these causes for better representation and equity.
Mariella Frostrup’s Address: A Spotlight on Women’s Health
Mariella Frostrup, a British journalist, TV presenter, and Menopause Champion, delivered a compelling speech at the event. She began by expressing her gratitude and congratulating Labour on their recent election success, particularly applauding the increase in female MPs. “We’ve finally reached 41% of Parliament being women, which is a significant achievement,” she remarked, highlighting the importance of female representation in shaping policies that affect half the population.
The Economic and Health Challenges Facing Women
Frostrup did not shy away from discussing the systemic challenges that women face, particularly in the workplace. She noted that, despite the progress in female representation, issues unique to women’s biology, such as menopause, are often neglected.
“Despite having had three female prime ministers, none have adequately addressed women’s untenable position in the working world or the specific health challenges they face.”
She presented alarming statistics, including that “twelve years after a woman has her first child, she earns 20% less than her male colleagues.” Furthermore, a recent survey by the Fawcett Society revealed that a quarter of a million mothers with young children have left their jobs due to the high cost of childcare. Frostrup also highlighted that, by the end of their working lives, women who have had children can expect a pension reduction of 20% to 30%.
She was particularly critical of the lack of support for women going through menopause, stating, “One in ten women at the top of their game leave the workforce every year because of the risible lack of support and flexibility around menopause.” Frostrup expressed her disappointment that these issues were not prominently featured in party manifestos, despite the last government’s emphasis on getting the long-term unemployed back to work. “Why not support menopausal women?” she questioned.
The Menopause Mandate Initiative
Introducing the Menopause Mandate initiative, Frostrup highlighted her role as chair and praised the cross-party campaign’s success in securing a one-off prescription charge for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
She announced a new campaign, “Menopause Mandate 40 Plus,” aimed at including menopause awareness in the NHS’s over-40 health check. “It’s baffling that the 40-plus health check covers various health indicators but omits the one thing that every woman will go through—menopause,” she pointed out. Frostrup emphasised the importance of early education and awareness, noting that 80% of women report that being informed is crucial in managing menopause’s often debilitating symptoms.
She urged the new MPs to support this initiative, describing it as “a no-brainer” that would not only benefit millions of women but also save the NHS millions of pounds in the long run. “We’ve made it even easier by creating doctor-approved information sheets and videos, all available online,” she said, highlighting the initiative’s accessibility and cost-effectiveness.
Final Thought
In her concluding remarks, Frostrup expressed hope for the future, celebrating the progress made and encouraging further action. She offered a personal tip to the new MPs, especially women, on handling public scrutiny and online abuse: “My top tip is basically don’t read it. It’s amazing how ineffectual vicious and disgusting behaviour is when you don’t actually hear it or see it.”
Frostrup’s address was a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritising women’s health in policymaking. Her call to action highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach that acknowledges the unique challenges women face throughout their lives. The event underscored the urgent need for continued advocacy and legislative action to ensure that women’s health issues are not just acknowledged but actively addressed.
To watch Frostrup’s full speech, click the link below and subscriber to Chamber UK’s YouTube channel for unlimited access to all videos from our events.
Bayer has provided sponsorship funding, which supported logistics and materials for this event. Chamber maintained complete editorial control for the event and outputs.