Last month, Chamber UK and 50:50 Parliament hosted a ‘Welcome to Parliament’ event for newly elected MPs, focusing on women’s health. The event brought together several MPs, health professionals, and campaigners to highlight the pressing issues surrounding women’s health and the urgent need for comprehensive solutions.
This event was kindly sponsored by Bayer, a leader in both pharmaceuticals and agricultural solutions, known for its long-standing commitment to improving women’s health through innovation and advocacy.
Head of Women’s Health Franchise UK & Ireland at Bayer, Shobhna Ladva, opened the discussion by acknowledging the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing women’s health issues. She emphasised the need for sustained advocacy and innovation to tackle the gaps in healthcare and education for women across all age groups.
Pioneering Women’s Health
Shobhna began by emphasising Bayer’s century-long dedication to advancing women’s health. “In Bayer, we’ve spent over 100 years driving and making a difference in women’s health through pioneering research and innovation,” she noted.
Shobhna highlighted the company’s efforts to ensure that all women, regardless of age, have access to comprehensive health services throughout their lives.
Educational Initiatives and Young Women
Shobhna addressed the critical need for education on intimate health among young women. She revealed that, alarmingly, “Only 6% of women have ever been taught about intimate health during their school years[i].” To combat this, Bayer has partnered with the PHSE Association to create the “Truth Undressed” educational programme, reaching 150,000 young people. “We need to continue doing this,” Shobhna urged, calling for the inclusion of intimate health education in the national curriculum, covering topics such as menstrual health and menopause to better prepare young women for the future, in addition to current sex education.
Access to Reproductive Health Services
The conversation turned to the challenges women face in accessing reproductive health services. Shobhna pointed out that “20% of our female population are of reproductive age, yet access to long-acting reversible contraception remains so challenging.” She highlighted the struggles women face with conditions like heavy menstrual bleeding and menopause, noting that “10% of women leave their jobs when they reach menopause age[ii].”
These statistics underscore the critical need for better access to healthcare and support services.
Policy and Workforce Challenges
Shobhna discussed the collaborative development of a consensus statement for sexual and reproductive health, alongside policies designed to ensure women are informed, heard, and empowered. She urged policymakers to address the fragmented commissioning in women’s health and to tackle the workforce crisis that often undermines the quality of care.
“Let’s really focus on the workforce crisis that’s always affecting women’s health,” she exclaimed, emphasising the need for systemic improvements.
Final Thought
In her concluding remarks, Shobhna called for the messages and insights shared at the event to resonate beyond the room.
“Let’s really, really drive change, and I urge all the parliamentarians to work with your ministers. Let’s get that women’s voice heard.”
The event highlighted the necessity of a united approach to elevate women’s voices in health and policymaking, advocating for a better, more inclusive future for all women.
This event not only spotlighted the achievements and ongoing challenges in women’s health but also reinforced the call for continued collaboration and action to ensure all women receive the care and support they deserve.
To watch the full video of Shobhna’s speech, please click below and don’t forget to subscribe to Chamber UK’s YouTube channel!
Bayer has provided sponsorship funding, which supported logistics and materials for this event. Chamber maintained complete editorial control for the event and outputs.
[i] Survey of 1,000 UK women (aged 18-24) – ‘Different Is Normal’ research by Canesten and sexual health charity Brook, conducted by 3GEM October 2020. Last accessed August 2024.
[ii] NHS England signs menopause workplace pledge, blog, June 2022. https://www.england.nhs.uk/blog/nhs-england-signs-menopause-workplace-pledge/#:~:text=Research%20has%20shown%20that%2010,because%20of%20their%20menopausal%20symptoms. Last accessed August 2024.