Sun Life has partnered with the Menopause Foundation of Canada (MFC) to address gaps in women’s healthcare and provide better support for women in the workplace.
The partnership comes after a recent Sun Life report highlighted how a significant number of working Canadian women feel unsupported by their employers during menopause. Three out of four women struggle with menopausal symptoms that interfere with their daily lives, the report added.
In a press release, Sun Life said the collaboration with the MFC will involve the development of resources for employers. A comprehensive report on menopause in the Canadian workplace will also be released later this year.
Marie-Chantal Côté, senior vice president, group benefits at Sun Life, commented on the partnership and how it will help in addressing the specific health needs of women in the workplace.
“Together with the MFC, we can make a meaningful difference to ensure women have access to resources and care within their workplace to support them through their health journey,” she said.
Meanwhile, MFC president and co-founder Janet Ko stressed the importance of ending the silence and stigma surrounding menopause.
“Menopause may be the missing link to explain why more women aren't breaking through the glass ceiling,” said Ko. “Ending the silence and stigma can help people flourish through menopause and can foster an age and gender-inclusive workplace.”
According to Sun Life’s recent women’s health report, a third or 33% of women believe their group benefits plans do not provide enough coverage to meet their needs. By comparison, only 17% of men felt the same way.
In the report, Sun Life offered solutions on how employers can improve their support for women in the workplace. One such solution is to address the stigma and lack of awareness surrounding women’s health issues through initiatives like establishing peer support groups and promoting events like Women’s Health Week.
“Despite many strides in achieving women’s equity, the reality is that a gender health gap still exists,” Côté said in the report. “A long history of inadequate recognition and support of women’s health is still affecting women today. Stigma still exists, especially around women’s reproductive health. The barriers this can pose across a woman’s life, including in the workplace and ability to progress in her career, are very real.”
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