UNFPA Report: Building Menopause-Friendly Workplaces Across the Private Sector
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being | SDG 5: Gender Equality
Institutions: Ministry of Labour and Employment | Ministry of Women and Child Development
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has published Spotlight: Building Menopause-Friendly Workplaces Across the Private Sector, a case study highlighting how organizations can better support women navigating menopause. The report notes that 47 million women globally enter menopause each year, often at key stages of their professional careers, and warns of talent loss, reduced productivity, and stalled gender equality if workplaces remain unresponsive.
Leading companies like Bayer and Essity are featured as “Champions” under UNFPA’s Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business, implementing policies such as menopause leave, awareness training, flexible working arrangements, workplace adjustments, and male allyship initiatives. The report offers a three-pillar model for action: Inclusive Policies, Raising Awareness, and Improving Access to practical support (health services, workplace adjustments).
This UNFPA spotlight underscores that menopause is both a public health & gender equity issue and a workplace productivity challenge. For governments and regulators, it signals a need to incorporate midlife women’s health into labour standards, occupational health rules, and gender equality frameworks. In India’s context, where women’s workforce participation is sensitive, aligning workplace policy reforms with health and social welfare goals can help retain experienced women and promote inclusive employment.
Follow the full report here: Spotlight: Building Menopause-Friendly Workplaces Across the Private Sector (UNFPA)
Spotlight - Building Menopause Friendly Workplaces.pdf