Journalist and women's equality campaigner, Mariella Frostrup,
has been appointed as the government's new Menopause Employment
Ambassador.
The voluntary role will see Mariella working closely with
employers across the country to improve workplace support for
women experiencing the menopause, raise awareness of the symptoms
and champion the economic contributions of women. A key focus
will be helping women going through the menopause stay in work
and progress in their careers.
Almost 70% of women aged 40 to 60 in employment experiencing
menopausal symptoms report this has a negative effect on them at
work, and just over 50% are unable to go into work at some
point due to menopause symptoms.
With decades of experience championing women's rights and gender
equality across the world, with passionate advocacy for increased
awareness of the symptoms of menopause, Mariella brings a
powerful and unique voice to the Department for Work and
Pensions.
Work and Pensions Secretary said:
“If we are going to get our country growing again, we have to
make sure that everyone feels they can thrive at work. I know
from personal experience how hard it can be for women going
through menopause.
“I'm so thrilled that Mariella will be working with us to bring
her years of knowledge and experience on this issue, so we can
make sure that all women experiencing menopause symptoms get the
support they need at work.”
Menopause Employment Ambassador, Mariella Frostrup
said:
“I'm honoured and delighted to be appointed as the Government's
Menopause Employment Ambassador and to start working towards this
government's stated goal of creating fair and equitable
workplaces for all.
“The loss of one in ten women from the workplace, often at the
height of their professional careers, is damaging our economy and
causing unnecessary suffering due to lack of information and
support during this perfectly natural and manageable phase of
life.
“I'm excited to get started and continue the important work done
by my predecessor Helen Tomlinson to engage with businesses small
and large and find solutions to what continues to be a gender
specific inequity.”
, Minister for Patient
Safety, Women's Health and Mental Health, said:
“I am delighted that Mariella Frostrup has been appointed into
this important role. I look forward to working with her to
champion women's health and improve menopause support, alongside
the Women's Health Ambassador for England, Professor Dame Lesley
Regan.
“We know there is a long way to go in improving support for women
experiencing menopause, particularly in the workplace, and this
government is committed to providing the care and support for all
women to thrive.”
Janet Lindsay, Chief Executive of Wellbeing of
Women:
“We are delighted that Mariella has been appointed as the new
Menopause Employment Ambassador. As Wellbeing of Women's
ambassador and in her wider work, Mariella has been a tireless
campaigner working to raise awareness of the need to support
women going through the menopause in all areas of life.
“We look forward to working with her to help all employers become
more menopause friendly, especially those who often struggle to
do so, such as small to medium businesses and those employing
women who cannot work remotely.”
This appointment comes as the government has proposed a
wide-ranging set of generational reforms to boost protections for
workers, including women experiencing menopause symptoms at work.
The policy proposals in the Employment Rights Bill would
require large employers to produce Menopause Action Plans on how
they will support employees through the menopause.
Additional Information
