Women’s History Month: Health in the spotlight
23 February 2023
Women’s health and inequalities in the healthcare system will be the focus of a series of University events held to mark Women’s History Month this March.
The month kicks off with an evening with Caroline Nokes MP, chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, held virtually on 1 March.
In Summer 2022, the Committee warned that highly qualified women were being pushed out of the workplace as a result of menopause discrimination, and called for new laws that would require employers to make reasonable adjustments for menopausal employees. Attendees can hear more from Caroline about what the cross-party inquiry uncovered, and what the Government had to say about the findings.
Other highlights include the Women@Reading Talking Menopause series, continuing the discussion with personal perspectives and advice on making adjustments for menopause symptoms at work, and the annual Edith Morley Lecture, which will focus on coping with a breast cancer diagnosis.
This year’s Edith Morley Lecture will be presented by Professor Nazanin Derakhsha, Professor of Experimental Psychopathology, and Founder and Director of The BRiC Centre (Building Resilience in Breast Cancer). Read more about Nazanin’s amazing work on the Connecting Research blog.
What is Women’s History Month?
Women’s History Month is marked around the world. In the UK, it takes place every March and recognises the contributions of women throughout history and in today’s society, and the impact of events throughout history on women. It began in the USA as a week-long commemoration, seeking to address a reading of history that ignored or downplayed the role of women.
International Women’s Day also takes place this month, on 8 March. The theme for this year is #EmbraceEquity. Visit www.internationalwomensday.com to find out more.
Full list of events taking place this Women's History Month
Date |
Event |
When and where |
| 1 March 2023 | An evening with Caroline Nokes MP: moving forward with the menopause Join the Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee for a discussion about menopause discrimination in the workplace. Hosted by Women@Reading and RUSU |
18:00 – 19:00 Online via Teams |
| 7 March 2023 |
Women@Reading: Talking Menopause Series A series of short talks all about the menopause:
Speaker: Dr Tatiana Rowson, Henley Business School All staff welcome |
11:00 - 13:00 Slingo Lecture Theatre, JJ Thomson |
| 7 March 2023 | Women’s Springboard Network: International Women’s Day meeting
Learn about the support available at the University for women's career development, and hear from guest speaker Kam Johal, International Study and Languages Institute Support Manager, on the experiences of her own career story and the challenges she faced. This event is hosted by the Women’s Springboard Network and open to all women at the University of Reading. |
12:00 – 13:00 Online via Teams Register now |
| 7 March 2023 |
Women’s Health Café A space for people to come together to talk, share stories and support each other. No need to book – just turn up and claim 50% off your first hot drink. Hosted by Women@Reading |
13:00 -15:00 Library Café, Whiteknights Campus |
| 8 March 2023 |
Women in Leadership Webinar: Embrace Equity Join Henley Business School and a panel of women leaders for a special International Women's Day webinar. The panel will share insights from their own experiences and careers, and discuss how to empower women to be part of the leadership of change, impacting the lives of their immediate and global community. |
13:00 - 14:30 Online via Zoon |
| 8 March 2023 |
RUSU International Women’s Day event A performance from Reading Knights Cheerleading, a live debate with Debate Society, and more |
12:00 – 14:00 3Sixty, RUSU Building |
| 23 March 2023 |
Inequalities in Maternity: Changing the Face of the Maternal Experience In collaboration with Royal Berkshire Hospital, Maternity Voices Partnership, and individuals with lived experience. Hosted by the Parent & Family Network |
12:30 – 14:00 Online via Teams Link to Teams event |
| 23 March 2023 | Edith Morley Lecture: Coping with cancer: Support, Research, Empowerment
Regaining control after a breast cancer diagnosis Every ten minutes, a woman in the UK is diagnosed with breast cancer. The mental wellbeing of women living with a breast cancer diagnosis is the focus of this year’s lecture. Professor Nazanin Derakhsha, Professor of Experimental Psychopathology, and Founder and Director of The BRiC Centre, will talk about her progressive and step-change research to the forefront of support systems for those with breast cancer. |
18:30 – 20:00 Van Emden Lecture Theatre, Edith Morley Building Register now |