For immediate release:

LOCAL POLITICIANS SUPPORT MENOPAUSE CAMPAIGN

Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey and Cambuslang East councillor Katy Loudon have backed a UK-wide campaign to raise awareness of the menopause.

The Pausitivity campaign founded by journalist Elizabeth Carr-Ellis is encouraging people across the UK to promote posters on bulletin boards, GP practices, sports venues and more, highlighting the symptoms of the menopause.

The poster was created by Allyson Shields of Shields Design, Glasgow.

The menopause – which affects women between the ages of 45 and 55 – can have a significant impact on daily life for some women, with common symptoms including hot flushes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, mood changes, and headaches.

A survey by the Scottish Trades Union Congress found that nearly a third of respondents said menopause was treated negatively in the workplace, with nearly two thirds saying it was treated as a “joke”.

Commenting, Clare Haughey MSP said:

“The menopause is a natural part of ageing yet sadly it is often seen as a taboo subject. Employers are often unaware of its many symptoms leaving women to suffer in the workplace. Experiencing the menopause should not be a barrier to work.

“It is encouraging that more and more people are having the confidence to speak about the menopause and how it affects them, however as a society we need to do much more.

“The fantastic Pausitivity campaign has my support, and I am proud to display their poster in my office noticeboard!”

Cllr Katy Loudon added:

“Through the great work of my colleague Collette Stevenson, the depute provost of South Lanarkshire Council, our local authority has adopted its own menopause policy to support our female staff. With over 11,000 women working for the council, we have a responsibility to support them, and I hope other workplaces follow our lead and start these much-needed conversations.”

Pausitivity campaign founder Elizabeth Carr-Ellis said:

“We are overjoyed to have the support of Clare and Katy. The Pausitivity KnowYourMenopause campaign is designed to overcome the lack of information readily available for women and their families at what can be a difficult time.

“Seeing our poster on display will send an important message not only about the symptoms of menopause, but that menopausal women are not alone. Well done Rutherglen and Cambuslang!”

The Pausitivity poster can be downloaded from https://www.50sense.net/home/know-your-menopause-join-our-campaign-to-educate-women.

ENDS

Date published: 11th July 2019