News / Women in Business
Entrepreneurs join forces to make period and menopause stigma history
A pair of Bristol business founders have united over a shared mission to “dismantle the barriers surrounding women’s health in the workplace”.
Hazel Hayden and Fran Lucraft are seeking to make the stigma associated with periods and menopause history through their new initiative.
The partnership, which was launched on Thursday, February 1, aims to bridge the gap between menstrual health and menopause, providing organisations with a comprehensive approach to support women’s health needs.
It comes at a critical juncture as some 23 per cent of women in the UK have contemplated in leaving their jobs due to the impact of menstrual stress and menopause, according to recent data published by Simply Health.
Hazel Hayden, who founded Independent Health and Wellbeing Group (IHWG) in 2019, promises to bring years of experience in women’s healthcare, menopause care and wellbeing, while Fran Lucraft, founder of Grace & Green, has garnered wider praise in the sector for delivering ethical and sustainable period products.
“Together, we are rewriting the narrative around women’s health” – Hazel Hayden – photo : IHWG
Hayden said: “As we embark on this journey with Grace & Green, our shared mission is to dismantle the barriers surrounding women’s health in the workplace.
“By combining forces, we aim to cultivate a culture where menstrual health and menopause are not only understood but actively catered for in the UK. This partnership signifies a crucial step towards fostering inclusive workplaces where every individual, regardless of their gender, can thrive without fear or stigma.”
She expressed her optimism about the future of workplace, adding: “Together, we are rewriting the narrative around women’s health, creating a brighter and more equitable future for employees across the board.”
Grace & Green’s 100 per cent organic and sustainable products aim to alleviate the burden associated with menstruation in the workplace. The period product brand believes that by providing free period products, companies can demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and support for all employees.
“Having free period products that are visible and starting conversations in the workplace is a simple way to begin breaking the stigmas associated with menstruation” – Fran Lucraft – photo: Grace & Green
On the initiative, Fran Lucraft, founder of Grace & Green, said: “We believe that access to safe and sustainable period products is a fundamental human right. No one should have to compromise their health, career or dignity because they don’t have access to essential menstrual products when they need them. Having free period products that are visible and starting conversations in the workplace is an important and simple way to begin breaking the stigmas associated with menstruation.
“We believe this partnership will be a significant step towards breaking down barriers for people who menstruate within the workplace. It’s cheaper than buying toilet roll. The question isn’t why are we starting this partnership, it’s simply why isn’t everybody doing it?”
The partnership of IHWG and Grace and Green vow to remove the taboo around menstrual health at workplace – photo: IHWG
Main photo: IHWG
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