skip to main content

World Menopause Day 2022: An Issue That Affects Us All

Today is World Menopause Day and to mark this, we’ve shared resources, information and what the Union is doing to raise awareness in our blog below.

Published: 18 October 2022 | 10:00 AM
Menopause word on wooden block. Flat lay view on light pink background.
This year, World Menopause Day takes place on Tuesday 18 October. Image credit: Shutterstock.

The menopause is a natural stage of life which affects around half of the population and this year, World Menopause Day takes place on Tuesday 18 October. It is an important opportunity to talk about and raise awareness of an issue that we should all care about, whether we experience it directly or not.

Action at the MU

EC member and saxophonist Millicent Stephenson, who has previously written about her experiences of menopause, will lead a session on the topic at our Members’ Conference later today, alongside Alison Foster, a Trade Union Studies Coordinator at City of Bristol College.

The session, titled “Menopause and the music industry: How can the music industry break the culture of silence on menopause?” gives members an opportunity to share their own experiences of menopause and working in the music industries, and come up with action-focussed solutions.

Writing last year for World Menopause Day, General Secretary Naomi Pohl highlighted the role of addressing menopause in the wider context of gender inequality in the music industries, particularly around enabling women to sustain their careers.

Menopause and work

In 2012 the MU shared a call for evidence from the Women and Equalities Select Committee Menopause Inquiry.

The inquiry published their first report earlier this year in which it makes a number of recommendations, including that the Government “launches a visible public health campaign around menopause; its symptoms, impact and how to seek treatment and other help, including support at work”.

With regards to workplaces, the report also called for a government-appointed Menopause Ambassador to work with unions and advisory groups, and assist employers with developing policies to support people experiencing menopause in the workplace.

In relation, ACAS (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) have put together a resource to help navigate menopause and increase menopause awareness in the workplace. It includes advice for people experiencing menopause, as well as their colleagues and employers.

You can also listen to their podcast episode where Acas Director of Dispute Resolution and Executive Board Menopause Champion, Kate Nowicki talks about how to support menopause at work.

Sharing experiences and solutions

Informal support networks such as the MU Women Members Network can be a great space to share experiences, create a supportive community and empower women and people who experience menopausal symptoms to share their knowledge and create solutions that work for them.

The MU Women Members Network is a space for members, led by members, to discuss issues specific to women.

Find out more and join the network

Remember: Members who experience discrimination related to menopause or have difficulty talking to their employer or engager about the support they need should contact their Regional Office for advice.

Join the MU's work for equality in music

Be sure your voice is heard - and help make the music industry a better place for every musician. At the MU we stand for equal opportunities and inclusion for musicians, and aim for the industry to be more diverse and representative.

Be a changemaker 

Learn what we do to make the industry inclusive and diverse, and how you can get involved in making a change.

Get involved

Join the MU's work for equality in music

Continue reading

Close up of a Border Security Officer at a computer.

Updated Information and Advice for Musicians Working in the US

Tamizdat, a non-profit organisation that facilitates international cultural exchange, has provided updated advice for those entering the US, further to recent press commentary regarding increased scrutiny at ports of entry.

Published: 27 March 2025

Read more about Updated Information and Advice for Musicians Working in the US
Ankna singing into a microphone on stage.

Ankna Arockiam for Women’s History Month: “Women’s Voices are Crucial in Shaping the Future of our Industry”

In our fourth and final blog for Women's History Month 2025, vocalist Ankna Arockiam explores the challenges women in the music industry face, her work around higher education and activism, and how joining the MU opens up opportunities for a more inclusive industry.

Published: 26 March 2025

Read more about Ankna Arockiam for Women’s History Month: “Women’s Voices are Crucial in Shaping the Future of our Industry”
Group of diverse women sat talking around a table, making notes with paper and laptops, smiling as they network and share ideas.

Keychange Announces 2025 Cohort for Talent Leadership Programme

Keychange, a movement dedicated to addressing underrepresentation in music, has announced the new participants in its 2025 Talent Leadership Programme. The cohort, which includes the MU’s own ED&I Officer Diljeet Bhachu, will collaborate to drive transformative change within the industry.

Published: 25 March 2025

Read more about Keychange Announces 2025 Cohort for Talent Leadership Programme
Three wooden jointed figures in various moves representing posture.

Feldenkrais for Musicians: “You Will Learn the Difference Between Your Sacrum and Your Scapula!”

The Feldenkrais Method, which is grounded in science, can enhance movement efficiency in performance. In this blog, string player and MU member Jonathan Evans-Jones shares his experience of Feldenkrais sessions, run by Emma Alter for the MU, and explains why he’s attended them for five years now.

Published: 25 March 2025

Read more about Feldenkrais for Musicians: “You Will Learn the Difference Between Your Sacrum and Your Scapula!”