Putting menopause on the agenda

The University of Reading’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience, Professor Elizabeth McCrum, is a passionate advocate for the Women@Reading Staff Network.

Recently appointed as the University Executive Board’s Champion for Sex Equality, Professor McCrum writes about the importance of keeping equality for women across the university community at the top of the agenda.

Here at Reading I am very fortunate to be involved in frank and open conversations about the challenges affecting women today. In my role as the Executive Board’s new Champion for Sex Equality, I am very proud of the role our Women@Reading Staff Network plays in the lives of women across the University community. I am especially pleased that the network has made the menopause one of its top priorities this year.

More than a quarter of women across the UK are believed to have considered leaving their jobs because of the impact the menopause has had on their lives.

Research shows that women are most likely to leave the workforce due to a lack of support, knowledge and understanding about the menopause. This is not only a loss for women, but also a significant loss for businesses and society.

The Women @ Reading network provides colleagues with the space and time to share their personal experiences, to give and receive advice and most importantly to offer support to one another.

The network hosts regular talks on careers and health issues as well as the Women’s Health Café, an informal drop-in session for women to talk about issues that are affecting them, without pressure or agenda.

Over the last few weeks, our University community has joined with organisations around the world to celebrate Women’s History Month. The Women’s Network has played a central role, hosting a number of illuminating events including the Talking Menopause series, which featured members of the University community speaking candidly about their experience of menopause. They also co-hosted with the Students’ Union an evening with Caroline Nokes MP on Moving Forward with the Menopause.

I have seen the immense impact that the Women@Reading network has had on the working lives of people at Reading. And I am passionate about playing my part in continuing this vital work to support more women in our community. I invite every one of our university community to support each other so that we can all be the best we can be at work.

Professor Elizabeth McCrum, Pro-Vice-Chancellor

If you are a member of staff at the University of Reading you can visit the staff portal to find out more about joining the Women@Reading Network.