New Initiative Aims to Break Taboos Around Menopause in Ethnic Minority Communities
LONDON – A new event is spotlighting the often-overlooked experiences of women from Black and Asian communities navigating menopause, aiming to provide culturally sensitive details and support. The initiative comes as awareness grows around the disparities in healthcare access and understanding for these groups, where conversations about womenS health are frequently stigmatized.
Project manager Sahir Ahmed-Evans, a 47-year-old menopause coach, is spearheading the effort to deliver reliable information from women who reflect the diversity of those most impacted. Ahmed-Evans herself experienced a shock two years ago when she underwent medical menopause, though she now recognizes her perimenopause symptoms began in her 30s. “I thought I was dying,” she said, but ultimately found a ”silver lining” in the experience.
For ahmed-Evans, the injections that induced menopause provided relief from years of undiagnosed endometriosis and adenomyosis, offering a chance to prioritize her wellbeing. “As a Pakistani, Asian woman, I’m a mother, I’m a grandmother, I’m a wife, I’m a business owner, a content creator, and you just give, give, give,” she explained. “Then your body says ‘but there’s nothing left, when are you going to give to yourself?’ So I feel like its nature’s way to say ‘now it’s time to step back and take something for yourself’.”
the initiative seeks to address the cultural pressures and taboos that can prevent women in some Black and Asian communities from openly discussing their health concerns, hindering access to timely diagnosis and treatment. These stigmas, combined with potentially differing symptom presentations, can leave women feeling isolated and unsupported during a significant life stage. the event hopes to foster a more open dialog and empower women to prioritize their health.
