Northern Ireland’s economy and social fabric are powered by small local businesses, rural employers, and the community and voluntary sector. These organisations are the backbone of local life—yet they are also the most vulnerable when staff are forced to step back from work due to untreated or unsupported health and reproductive health issues.
For too long, women’s health has been treated as a private matter. But the impact is far from private: absence from work, lost productivity, reduced participation, and weakened local economies. The UK economy already loses £11 billion a year to absenteeism linked to painful periods, endometriosis, fibroids, and menopause. For smaller and rural employers, the effects are magnified.
If we want sustainable local economies and thriving communities, we must act now in supporting women’s health in Northern Ireland
Supporting Women’s Health in Workplaces – Why Action Matters
Supporting women to manage their health at work is not an optional extra, it is essential for:
- Keeping women in employment, reducing turnover, and protecting skills.
- Supporting small businesses and community organisations, which cannot afford to lose vital staff.
- Sustaining rural economies, where every job is critical to community wellbeing.
- Building healthier, more resilient communities, where women can contribute fully to work, family, and civic life.
Who Can Deliver Change?
The Women’s Health Action Plan provides a valuable framework, but change will only happen if it reaches the ground. That’s where organisations like:
- NI Rural Women’s Network, rooted in rural communities and trusted by women who face geographic and service-access barriers,
- Women in Business NI, connecting employers and business leaders who can embed better practices across sectors,
- Community and voluntary organisations, who are already connected with local communities
all play a vital role. Together with The Women’s Organisation, these networks are uniquely placed to develop and deliver practical responses, bridging policy into practice, and ensuring no woman or employer is left behind.
How Can We Deliver Change for Women’s Health in Northern Ireland?
We are calling for dedicated investment and structured support to enable small, rural, and community employers to act. This means:
- Providing toolkits and resources tailored for small and rural organisations.
- Funding community organisations to lead training and awareness-raising.
- Supporting managers and colleagues with practical education on women’s health issues.
- Ensuring accessible signposting to local services.
- Promoting flexibility and compassionate return-to-work practices.
The Time is Now
We cannot afford to wait. By resourcing community-based women’s organisations and employer networks to lead this work, we can:
- Maintain women in work.
- Reduce costly economic losses.
- Improve fairness and equality in workplaces.
- Strengthen our communities and local economies.
At The Women’s Organisation, we know that modest, well-supported steps can spark transformative change. By working together—government, employers, and women’s organisations—we can ensure women’s health is no longer hidden, but supported as a foundation of stronger workplaces and thriving communities.