Thanks for making me part of this proud moment.
18 October was #WorldMenopauseDay - a day dedicated to raising awareness about #menopause and of the options available to support health and wellbeing before, during and after menopause. MHAi was proud to be the knowledge partner at the Menopause Dialogue 2024, organized by DevUp Global and BleedEqual on 18 October in New Delhi. Here are our takeaways (and links to resources) from this rich exchange of knowledge, data and perspectives: 1️⃣ We need widespread clarity on: ➡️What #menopause, and associated phases of #perimenopause and #postmenopause are ➡️Natural menopause and surgically induced menopause 🔎 Read https://lnkd.in/dkj9GUfX for an overview; and the The Menopause Manifesto by Jen Gunter) 2️⃣ We need 📊 data to understand menopause in India - the trends, determinants, and links with other health outcomes (particularly non communicable diseases) 🔎Read this latest paper by Karan Babbar, M Sivakami on premature menopause in India: https://lnkd.in/gViyBpWN And check out MHAi's knowledge hub for 29 India articles on menopause: https://lnkd.in/gegT67Na 3️⃣ We need to hear about the lived experiences of perimenopause and menopause from women representing diverse communities in India. This is critical for us to frame a basket of responsive actions 4️⃣ We need to see and understand menopause from a life course perspective, and from a health promotion lens 5️⃣ We need menopause care, from awareness about what is happening to our bodies, reduced stigma and discrimination, social support, and access to health care, nutrition and lifestyle changes to manage symptoms and associated health conditions and morbidities 6️⃣ We need to inform and expand the menstrual health at work dialogue to include menopause at work. Simultaneously, we need to understand women's diverse needs during perimenopause and menopause, and what work settings can do to support them 🔎Check out this interesting article on what some Indian companies are doing to support their employees: https://lnkd.in/gMrek8ju 7️⃣ We need female friendly WASH facilities in communities, worksites, public spaces that respond to the needs of menopausal women 🔎Read Dr Amita Bhakta PhD's powerful work using photovoice on the WASH needs of perimenopausal women https://lnkd.in/gf4H_cGA 8️⃣ We need to break the stigma around aging for women, and change the narrative about women's "productivity" and "utility" in mid-life and beyond Thanks to Dr. Nalini Kaushik for championing menopause in India, and for believing in the power of collective action to advance the menopause agenda in India! 🌟 And lastly, we are delighted to share a blog by Arundati Muralidharan featured by WomenLift Health on menopause as a public health issue in India: https://lnkd.in/drwguyep Tanya Dargan Mahajan