Building Policies That See Every Woman
Black feminist scholar Bell Hooks reminds us, “Honesty and openness is always the foundation of insightful dialogue.” Menopause policy must embody that truth.
Policymakers can no longer rely on one-size-fits-all workplace protections. Psychological research on stereotype threat, pioneered by Dr. Claude Steele, shows that when women of colour sense bias or dismissal, stress hormones rise and cognitive performance drops.
Add the midlife surge of hormonal fluctuation and the effect is compounded. Higher anxiety, disrupted sleep and impaired decision-making.
A truly responsive legislative agenda would integrate this science into practice. That means funding intersectional mental-health programs, requiring culturally competent clinical training and creating corporate guidelines that address the psychological as well as physical demands of menopause.
It also means partnering with Black scholars and community leaders to co-design outreach campaigns that speak to cultural realities rather than assuming them.
Menopause as a Public Health Imperative
Menopause is not simply a biological transition, it is a public health and economic turning point that influences productivity, career longevity and long-term wellbeing. Without evidence-based, culturally attuned policy, new laws will inevitably privilege the majority while leaving women of colour behind.
Governments and institutions must:
Invest in longitudinal research that captures the mental-health dimensions of menopause for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic women, building on work by Dr. Tené T. Lewis on allostatic load and chronic stress.
Incorporate workplace psychology, ensuring managers understand how hormonal changes interact with cognitive function, decision fatigue and emotional regulation.
Collaborate with intersectional experts like Professor Dawn Edge and Dr. Karen Lincoln to design programmes that reduce stigma and build trust in healthcare systems.
Menopause legislation is finally on the agenda.
The next step is making sure it holds the door wide open, recognising that midlife health is inseparable from racial justice, psychological wellbeing and economic equality. Anything less leaves too many women and the communities they support, standing outside the room where decisions are made.
Your Voice Shapes the Future
Menopause policy and awareness will only move forward when every perspective is heard.
Like this post if you believe midlife health deserves global attention and culturally inclusive action.
Comment with your own experiences, insights or research that highlight the psychological and cultural layers of menopause, your story could inform policymakers and inspire others to speak up.
Share this with colleagues, friends and community leaders so we build a wider circle of advocacy that includes Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic wom
en at every table where decisions are made.
