Help spread the word about the world’s only Menopause Festival
The world's only Menopause Festival to help “break the taboo and have some fun” will take place online on April 30th and May 1st.
Organiser and WIJ Scotland member Rachel Weiss would appreciate your help in spreading the word about the event.
Glasgow-based Newsnight anchor, Kirsty Wark, who fronted a documentary called The Menopause and Me in 2017, will open the festival.
The two-day festival will feature talks by medics, stand-up comedy, creative workshops, theatre and cabaret - all raising awareness of the impact of the menopause on those experiencing it and their friends, families and colleagues.
One of the questions explored reflects a question raised in WiJ Scotland’s recent Snapshot Survey was; how should employers treat menopausal women in the workplace?
In our survey, 90% of respondents said their employer was not flexible or accommodating when it came to the effects of the menopause on their ability to do their job.
The ‘Menopause at Work’ seminar on afternoon of April 30th is aimed at employers, Trustees, Board members, line managers, trade unions and employment lawyers. It will look at the rights of women and their employers’ obligations, menopause policies and how the menopause impacts on women’s economic participation at a national level.
Speakers include Kate Wyatt, Employment law Partner with law firm, Lindsays.
Kate said: “Many of us are accustomed to reading or hearing about the menopause in women’s magazines, health supplements and lifestyle programmes but there’s very little talk of it in business circles.
“In years gone by, it’s not a subject which people have been comfortable speaking about but that is changing, so that mindset shift has to filter through to the workplace too.
“I will be highlighting best practice, explaining what employers need to be doing and highlighting the huge strides which society has made in terms of women’s participation in the workplace.
“It’s not just about supporting women while they bring up their children anymore, but also supporting them in the later stages, ensuring that steps are in place to retain women at work to the mutual benefit of both the employer and employee.”
Kate will be joined by fellow speakers Professor Jo Brewis of the Open University, who is author of the Government report on how menopause impacts on women’s economic participation; Darron Dupre, Regional Organiser UNISON Cymru Wales and Kelly Innes from CIPD. There will also be group discussions, sharing of good practice, and a panel discussion relating to issues raised.
The following day will welcome members of the public, both men and women, to celebrate menopause.
Keynote speaker Sam Bunch, author of ‘Menopause: a hot topic’, will talk about her story, followed by Dr Heather Currie, ex-chair of the British Menopause Society, who will speak on medical aspects of the menopause.
There will also be a number of workshops on poetry, speaking out, belly-dancing, nutrition and yoga. Evening entertainment is on offer, with comedy on the Friday night and cabaret on the Saturday night.
Menopause Cafe charity founder Rachel Weiss said: ”Before I had my period, I knew what to expect; before I had sex, I had some idea; before I gave birth, I had a plan, but before menopause - zilch! Nobody talked about it, apart from jokes about hot flushes.
“I had no idea of the range of ways it can impact our mental and physical wellbeing.”
The charity organises pop-up events worldwide, year round, where people drink tea, eat cake and talk menopause.
Rachel added: ”We held the first #FlushFest in Perth in 2018, to celebrate different aspects of menopause, to let people learn, talk and laugh together, to explore it through facts and the arts.
“This year we are moving online, opening the Festival up to a worldwide audience.”
For detailed programme and to book tickets, visit https://www.menopausecafe.net/menopause-festival-2021-flushfest2021/
Early Bird tickets costs £45 if booked before 28th February, the standard price is £60.
All are welcome, regardless of age or gender and the event is being promoted with the hashtag #FlushFest2021.
Twitter and Instagram: @Menopause_Cafe
Facebook: www.facebook.com/menocafe17
Email: menopausecafe@outlook.com