Across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, persistent barriers to women’s healthcare access are not just a public health concern they are a significant drag on economic productivity and workforce participation. The World Bank states that women’s limited access to health services, especially reproductive and maternal healthcare, reduces their ability to participate fully in employment, directly affecting economic outcomes. The economic implications extend well beyond the health sector and the lack of practical support around these issues contributes to absenteeism, reduced productivity, and a loss of talent, particularly among mid-career women. 1 in 4 women in the UK have missed work or school due to menstruation-related issues, yet many workplaces do not accommodate these needs. Minding this gap workplaces must take a closer look at the conditions and resources they offer women in their workforce.

Two Women Looking at Each Other on a Work Desk

In Northern Ireland, rural women remain disproportionately affected. According to the Department of Health, women face limited access to essential health services whether due to distance, lack of information, or social stigma.

Women’s Health Inequalities

Women working in charities, social enterprises, or volunteering roles often face real challenges when it comes to looking after their health. These spaces are usually driven by purpose but operate on very limited budgets, which means there often isn’t enough support in place to ensure their physical and mental wellbeing is properly taken care of. The result? Poorer health outcomes and a widespread sense of being left behind.

In Ireland, despite the rollout of the Women’s Health Action Plan, major issues like menstrual health, fertility, and menopause remain under-addressed in public discourse and policy. These are not peripheral concerns, they are core to women’s overall wellbeing, mental health, and economic participation. When ignored, they contribute directly to workforce attrition and lost potential.

Statistics for Women’s Health in the Workplace

  • One in four women in the Ireland has considered quitting her job because of menopause. That’s a staggering number of friends, sisters, and colleagues quietly struggling at work.
  • Women over 50 are the fastest-growing group in the labour force, yet they are three times more likely than younger workers to experience long-term unemployment.
  • Small and medium-sized businesses, charities and voluntary sector especially in rural areas, are far less likely to offer formal health or wellbeing programmes. This leaves many women without the support systems
  • A recent UK report found that three-quarters of women feel unsupported during menopause especially those in low-paid, older, or rural roles, who bear the brunt of the silence.


Looking Ahead

The need for action is only becoming more urgent. Both the data and women’s lived experiences make it clear: women’s health must be reflected in workplace policies not only to address current challenges, but to prepare for those on the horizon.

The average age for menopause is 51, yet economic pressures and rising living costs mean more women are working into their late fifties and sixties. Without stronger community-based supports, the Women’s Health Taskforce has warned that even more women will be forced to leave the workforce for health-related reasons if women’s health inequalities in Ireland persist.

As hybrid and remote work arrangements become more common, we can’t assume corporate wellbeing policies will reach everyone. Local, peer-led networks are vital to ensuring that workplace inclusion is meaningful not just symbolic.

Now that this reality is in plain sight, it cannot be ignored. The consequences of inaction are clear: the gap will only widen. Putting women’s health at the heart of workplace culture is no longer optional—it’s essential if we are serious about tackling inequalities and unlocking women’s full contribution across the island.

Work With Us

Enterprise Evolution’s Health and Economy service strand brings together enterprise development, workplace inclusion, and public health innovation to improve wellbeing and economic participation particularly for women in underrepresented sectors and communities.

If you want to know more about how to tackle women’s health inequalities in Ireland contact us here.