By R. Larsson, Advertising Week
For generations, women’s health has existed in the margins of workplace policy, often spoken about in hushed tones – if at all. From menstrual wellbeing and menopause to maternal health and life-threatening diagnosis, the personal experiences of women have too often gone unsupported or ignored in professional environments. On this International Day of Women’s Health, we’re not just acknowledging the challenges – we’re spotlighting the voices of women who are transforming their experiences into action to change the future of the workforce.
These are not just stories of resilience – they are roadmaps for change. As the conversation around women’s health continues to grow louder, so too must the industry’s response. Better education, inclusive policies and innovations born from lived experiences aren’t just nice to have, they’re essential. And as these leaders show, when women’s health is taken seriously, everyone benefits.
Louise Johnson, Global CEO at Fuse
For too long, women’s health has been overlooked in the workplace. While there’s been progress, we’re still only just beginning to have honest conversations about the impact of menstrual health, menopause and the broader impact of female wellbeing on women’s work lives.
At Fuse, we were proud to work with Vodafone and the Welsh Women’s Rugby team on a campaign to launch a menstrual cycle tracking tool, a great example of how sport can lead the way in putting women’s health front and centre. The Women’s Euros this summer represents another platform to push these conversations further and shine a light on the real, lived experiences of women, both on and off the pitch.
We must move beyond tokenism and actively create environments where women feel in a safe space to discuss their health without fear of stigma or professional impact. That means more inclusive policies, from flexible working that reflects hormonal health, to better education for managers, and clear support systems in place.
Future female workforces will expect this as standard, not as a perk. It’s time we caught up. The talent is there, and the ambition is there, but we need to meet it with structures and support that allow women to thrive throughout every stage of their career.”
Hannah Penn, Managing Director, Pablo
I was diagnosed with melanoma in 2022. I was 33, it was May 31, and 10 days earlier I’d given birth to our second son.
What followed was a terrifying chapter where I felt the very real existence of the gender health gap. As a postpartum mother it was almost impossible to get information about the impact of the nuclear medicine on my breast milk, I had no easy reassurances that the treatment I was being told I needed wouldn’t cause harm to my newborn.
Feeling totally out of control in my own life – I found fulfillment, distraction and purpose working with incredible colleagues at Pablo on what would turn out to be a 3 year labour of love to drive greater awareness of the fatal risks of melanoma facing the construction industry.
During treatment, looking for answers for my own family, I discovered a statistic that construction workers make up 8% of the UK workforce but make up 44% of occupational melanoma deaths. An industry obsessed with health and safety, but with an invisible killer in the sun wreaking havoc on sites.
So we have spent 3 years at Pablo, with some incredible partners like Considerate Constructors Scheme and Leo Workwear, developing the launch of our UV-U-SEE skin protection initiative – with the aim of establishing a new standard of health and safety in the construction sector. At the heart of this initiative sits a life saving innovation; our Higher Vis Vest. The high vis vest, but optimised with a material that turns intensely red as the UV increases to alert the wearer to the risk posed by the sun and the need for skin protection.
I hope my story, and the innovative creative solution the team at Pablo have created from it, can be a warning for others – and specifically across a group of the workforce who so clearly deserve better awareness, and better protection.
