Female Workers Underscore Menstruation, Maternity and Menopause as Important Workplace Issues
St John’s, Antigua – Women across Antigua and Barbuda amplified their voices on a range of issues that specifically impact women, during the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) International Women’s Day Seminar 2024.
Among the issues raised was the need for flexibility in work schedules for women returning to work after childbirth, as well as education and understanding for working women who may be experiencing menopausal symptoms.
The group also discussed the impact of menstrual cycles on their ability to concentrate at work and proposed certain accommodations to make coping easier. The issues raised follow closely on UNI Global Union’s focus on “the three ‘M’s”: menstruation, maternity, and menopause, as a gendered approach to Occupational Safety and Health.
In a publication launching UNI’s three ‘M’s campaign on International Women’s Day, Head of Equal Opportunities, Veronica Fernandez Mendez said “Although natural biological experiences, the three ‘M’s are still taboo subjects in many cultures and workplaces, yet they have a significant impact on the professional development of workers who experience them.”
In reflecting on the Seminar, Education and Training Officer at the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union, Hazel Luke, said the session was extremely valuable as it provided a safe space for women to freely ventilate on the three ‘M’s among other issues.
Luke added that the worksheets generated from the sessions would be used to inform actions that would address the concerns raised by women.
Another highlight of the Seminar was a presentation on “Economic Empowerment and Inclusivity” delivered by principal consultant at Accounting Solutions, Cassandra P. Simon. The presentation encouraged a critical examination of the “UN Women’s 11 Hurdles for Women’s Equality by 2030”.
Participants also benefited from a presentation by Psychologist, Fiona Charles-Richards on “Accessibility to Advanced Healthcare as a Means of Accelerating Progress”. Charles-Richards told women to avoid negative self-talk and engage in practices that would build self-worth.
Participants provided overwhelmingly positive feedback on the seminar: “It was timely and informative and that’s what the women of Antigua and Barbuda need,” one woman shared. “It was encouraging to be empowered among such a diverse group of persons with different experiences. Hopefully, we can make proactive change, once we stay unified, connected and in the Union’s power,” another woman added.
More than 90 women attended the Seminar and already plans are in motion for a major Women’s Conference to be hosted by the Union later this year.
According to ABWU First Vice President, Monique James-Roberts, the Union has had a long and proud history of empowering women and encouraging gender parity.
This includes its advocacy for paid maternity leave which is now enshrined in the nation’s constitution.
In earlier years, the Union adopted a progressive outlook by offering typing classes, along with Math and English courses to women who later went on to find gainful employment in secretarial roles.
Today, the Union continues to facilitate scholarships in Industrial Relations, Human Resource Management, Occupational Safety Health and Hygiene, and other disciplines for members irrespective of gender.
By empowering members through training and education, the Union hopes to inspire more women to pursue positions of leadership so that they can have a more powerful voice in shaping institutions, the community and nation.
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All these requests, hmm. You women want to dominate in the work force, now you asking for all these M’s. I think you should get married, have children and stay home and let Mr go out and work, cause from my knowledge I know men have feelings also, but guess what? We cut and go through.
I agree with you and it’s not to say that we don’t have a heart because we have mother’s but this generation is filled with some weak females. The argument could be raised that it’s due to weak males but if we keep giving into the weak we will continue to raise weak children to grow up to be weak adults, MALE and FEMALE. Just look at what happened when we opened the door to the LGBTQ plus
I know its not easy females but stay strong.
Whats next on the list? Fake hair, eyelashes, silicone breast day and can’t sit because of fake butt
u sound like a arrogant fool!!! women go thru a whole wat you all men go thru do u have babies go on maternity leave you sound like u see period or sum why u a behave so kmft best yu shut yu claaat cause u dnt know what its like being a woman an going thru menstrual cycle an back ache belly ache vagina ache u dnt have a clue how painful it is!!!! unless u is a man who see period
Absolutely, human biology and family life should be taken into account in the workplace. It is everyone’s (male and female) God-given right to work to provide for themselves and their children. In this modern world a lot of work takes place away from the home. Instead of fighting each other men vs women, everyone needs to discuss calmly what would be best for everyone in society. In my opinion, society should offer a variety of workplace options. Some jobs should be flexible and allow persons to work partly at the workplace and partly at home, some jobs should be done fully at home, other jobs should be done fully at the workplace. The location should depend on the type of work needed to complete the tasks. And, people should mind their own business and not judge other people for how they organise their work and family life.
Your beginning was good but you started to decline after the second sentence.
1) i don’t want no workplace to be like my home. Guess that’s why some people neglect their home and go crazy when the company trun them away.
2) i don’t agree with anyone taking home work
3) do you own a company or business? because it sounds good in your mind until you have to deal with different personalities
4) when your at home can your boss reprimand you?
If require everything mentioned in your comment it’s simple just quit your job and work for yourself.
I believe the labour code is one of the best around the world, just needs a little revision
Why u ladies try taking care of yourself all the Ms are a part of life living with it no doctor can’t cure them take care of your well-being.
1)Huh? Not sure what you’re talking about. Who said the workplace should be like home. It was said that some people in some jobs might benefit from flexible workplaces e.g. women with babies, toddlers, small kids can do some of their work from home. Not all jobs require persons to be at the workplace.
2)There are billions of people on earth doing many different kinds of work. Are you an expert at all of them? How can you decide for everyone else if they can take work home. It is done routinely in many workplaces in many countries without any issues. That’s the problem right there. Some men want to decide for all women what’s best for them without any understanding of their daily tasks.
3)Clearly, this only applies to workplaces, employers and employees who can handle it. You should hire decent dedicated workers who want to get the job done and well then you wouldn’t have to worry about personalities. If you can’t then no problem, people who need flexible work can work elsewhere. The point is not that all workplaces should be flexible but that some should be to give people options at different stages of life. E.g. when kids are older less flexibility might be needed.
4) Clearly you are a micromanager or you have not so great employees. Why would employees need you to reprimand them? They are not infants. As long as they are getting their tasks completed, why do you need to watch them constantly? Perhaps you are the one who has nothing to do so you convince yourself that your employees need constant guidance. Maybe for some jobs but not most. Maybe you can find something better to do such as fixing infrastructure and sourcing needed resources for the employees to make use of productively. You can still schedule occasional meetings to see how things are going or address other issues.
Our labour code is fine. But, our social structure is not good. Flexible work availability would be best for families, particularly women and children.
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