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Break the Bias Against Women in Menopause

Esi Arhin • March 8, 2022

The theme of International Women's Day (IWD) 2022 #BreakTheBias is particularly significant as well as highly relevant for me because I believe our nation needs the participation of all individuals who can contribute to the workforce especially a country such as ours.

Indeed, there are many discriminations and biases against women that needs to be broken and shattered and I stand against the countless bias’s women face. However, I am highlighting biases against women in menopause as a result of my personal experience and shared stories by my fellow menopausal women.

My personal experience with menopause has revealed to me that although most women have heard of and know what menopause is, there’s still need to raise further awareness on the subject to help break the biases so women in menopause within the work space can continue to actively and comfortably contribute our quota to national development.


In this regard, women need support to be able to achieve their both personal and career goals. Without the support of all stakeholders, including families, friends, colleagues, religious and social organisations and especially women ourselves to each other, it will not be possible to end the many biases that women are hit with daily, everywhere we find ourselves.

 Many workplaces are not supportive of women and our special biological makeup, rarely if ever do workplaces address the issue of menopause or take it into account. Unfortunately attempts to find supporting data on issue have proven futile. A point of evidence which perhaps underscores my suspicion that menopausal women are not considered a "special group". This must change.


There's the critical need for workplaces to start conversations about menopause and begin to normalise it as part of everyday working life concerns. The emotional wellbeing and many other common concerns for menopausal women in the workplace ought to be addressed in order to begin to break the bias.

I wholehearted with mind, body and spirit support the breaking of biases on work conditions and wages for women.

 Let's break the biases on menopause, the snickering, sarcastic and caustic comments and the flippant dismissals.  We must break the biases in the manner in which we are communicated to at this time and in general. We must break biases in the ways women in menopause are perceived.


I join forces with all women nationwide and across the globe to echo the fight for equality in all disciplines.

I call on stakeholders in the area of work, particularly companies and organizations to review and redefine their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSO) programmes and consider collaborating with Women's groups and organisations to educate women on menopause and give us the most needed support as we navigate this challenging stage of their lives.

I have reinforced my commitment to self to do what is within my capacity to assist my fellow women to push through, not just make significant progress in their lives but to succeed broadly in whatever endeavour they undertake.

I implore you to support women in menopause to manage and overcome the trauma in their lives.


We must break the bias in our offices, homes, schools, places of worship and largely in our communities.


#IWD2022

#BreakTheBias

Esi's Blog

The Days: A Review

By Esi Arhin • June 3, 2023
Ama Ata Aidoo's The Days , a picture book for children is a delight to read. Illustrated by Albert Buete Puplumpu, the book offers relatable descriptions of days of the week and their unique characters in a fun way. The theme of differences and similarities resonates clearly. The author employs the use of rhythm, rhyme, repetition and imagery to deploy the story. In comparison to how days behave, it plays on the characteristics of animals and things to enforce its message while encouraging children in an unsuspecting way to apply their mathematical skills. The simplicity of style and subject makes it an easy read for young children. At the same time, it holds a certain appeal for adults because of the subliminal meaning portrayed for those who understand the battles fought in daily existence. This book explores the possibilities in each day, painting a picture of life and its unpredictability in general. It assures the young that differences are normal and in fact to be expected. For adult readers it reinforces our knowledge and understanding of daily life challenges, leaving a sense of balance. The performance potential it holds is most exciting. Each day's character stares the imagination and evokes an actor in the reader. The colourful illustrations depict familiar images in ethereal bliss, typically that of the old village wall. The front cover captures the theme beautifully. It shows the different characters of days by seamlessly fusing together colours symbolizing the differences in days. The illustrations are very effective in enhancing the story. Although "Each day has hours of ten, ten and four..." "All the days are not equal" indeed. Children are sure to be entertained and learn about diversity. I'm enamored! The Days is far more than a good read. Children, gather round!

Navrongo Calls

By Esi Arhin • September 5, 2022
Navrongo, the capital town of the Kassena-Nankani district lies south of Paga, the main border crossing between Ghana and Burkina Faso. It sits at the tropical Savannah belt, Upper East of Ghana. I first made my way there sometime in September 2002 through a friend who couldn’t believe I had lived all 27 years of my life in southern Ghana, never having traveled up north. He insisted I needed the exposure and so he dragged me with him. He said I had not lived If I had not seen the sun rise on the Tono dam. So, one fine morning at 5:00 am, I jumped into his pick-up truck, and we headed up north where he had made a home away from fanteland. It was the longest road trip I had ever embarked on at the time, 15 hours on the road to be precise. Takeaway the breaks we took at Kumasi, Kintapo and Tamale. I barely noticed the hours pass as we chatted all the way with the company of Fela Kuti and Bob Marley playing in the background on repeat. To this day, the ride to Navrongo remains one of the fondest memories I have of traveling Ghana for work or leisure. This part of the country is home to two ethnic groups, the Kassims and the Nakanas. Historically, it is said that these two ethnic groups have had relative independence because the Ashantis didn't invade them. However certain treaties established by the British in 1898 an Anglo-French convention came up with an agreement to divide the lands. The Kassims and Nankanas were subsequently separated from their relatives who today live across the border, Burkina Faso. Older indigens of Navrongo know it as Navoro, which means (to put your foot down on soft ground). Today, the town is indeed soft ground to live and explore what new opportunities it has to offer, including access to tertiary education locally. The siting of Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences campus to the township has brought much warmth to the once laid back and very quiet town. Yet, it still remains relatively calm in comparison to Bolgatanga which is 30 kilometers away by road, about 40 minutes’ drive. It is an important market town in the area. The people are mainly subsistence farmers and rearers of cattle and goat. Navrongo is known for its famous mud-built cathedral and grotto, Our Lady of Seven Sorrows. Although it doesn't haven many formally designated places of tourist attraction, it is by its character a great attraction. The warmth of the people, the native architecture, fabrics, the market, the guinea fowl joints, the easy connection between humans and cattle in full glare, make up a total unique culture for experiencing. Marked places of interests in addition to the mud-built cathedral are the Tono dam, which is one of the largest agricultural dams in West Africa, also the first ever solar plantation and the health research centre. It is awesome to watch the sun rise ever so gracefully on the Tono dam.The rising of the sun is said to symbolise the journey of the sun in the sky. At about 5:00 am one morning my host and I set off on a drive to see the famous sunrise on Tono dam. The joy of watching the sunrise on the dam is next to none, with nature at its best early morning. The sun’s golden rays added a burnt orange colour to the smoky clouds. A small ball of light emerged from the sky at first. It then slowly starts to get bigger and illuminate. As if on cue birds began to chirp in glorification of the glow of the orange goddess. Its beauty is beyond description, I cannot do it justice. Suddenly, out of the blue it bursts out into a gleaming ball expanding at a moment's look. The first rays are gentle and soft on the eyes. It is a rare joy, eternally etched in memory. I have seen many a sunrise over the years but this one was magnificent, just as my host promised. It was worth every bit of the journey. One thing I found most fascinating is the hand production of ethnic fabrics by the women of Navorongo. They grow and eat their own food. They make their own beer(pito), their own beauty products from largely local materials. They build their homes with their bare hands also with local materials. They made ordinary what appeared phenomenal to me. There are some fairly decent guest houses and lodges to stay in, especially for low budget travelers. Moving around is not difficult, there are taxies and motor cars available for hire as well as collective rides. For a fun night, there are lots of drinking spots and bars to hang out and dig into some well spiced charcoal grilled guinea fowl or beef kebabs. You may sample grilled guinea fowl in as many grilling spots as you like. That is a sport in itself. I've had several opportunities to return to Navrongo after my first visit. With each visit the land and it’s people grow on me. Memories of Navrongo call. Nearly two decades after my first trip there, my heart still misses a beat at the mention of her name. Could it also be that the face of that handsome Kassim man still smiles on me?
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