Institute of Design and Innovation’s Post

🌟 Celebrating Neurodivergent Women 🌟 Neurodiversity embraces the unique ways our brains work, yet neurodivergent women are often overlooked and misunderstood. Conditions like autism and ADHD are commonly diagnosed based on male presentations, leaving many women undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. These incredible women often mask their symptoms, leading to emotional strain and burnout. Despite these challenges, they bring immense strengths to the table – from the creativity and hyperfocus of women with ADHD to the attention to detail and loyalty of women with autism. Creating inclusive environments where neurodivergent women can thrive is crucial. This means raising awareness, providing tailored support, amplifying their voices, and fostering community. By doing so, we unlock the full potential of neurodiversity, building a society that values and celebrates their unique contributions. Share this post with a neurodivergent woman and join us in celebrating their presence, making sure their voices are acknowledged and their experiences appreciated.

Hey parents! Let’s talk about something important - Periods!!! Ladies…. It’s time we break the taboo and have an open conversation about periods. 👉🏻Have a the question in mind? Why should you do it 🤔 👉 I have listed various reasons to do so 😊 and you can thank me later ❤️😊 👉🏻 Initiating open conversations about menstruation within your family is crucial for several reasons. 👉🏻Firstly, it breaks down the age-old taboo surrounding periods, fostering a culture of understanding and acceptance. 👉🏻By involving all family members, especially husbands and sons, you create a supportive environment where women don’t feel the need to hide a natural aspect of their lives. 🙋🏼♂️Moreover, educating sons about menstruation helps them grow into empathetic individuals who respect and appreciate the experiences of the women around them. It’s about promoting equality, erasing stereotypes, and ensuring that the responsibility of managing periods isn’t solely on women. 🙎♂️Additionally, involving husbands in these conversations strengthens family bonds and reinforces the idea that menstruation is a shared experience within the family. It dispels misconceptions, encourages empathy, and fosters a supportive atmosphere, making everyone feel heard and understood.👨👩👧👦 ⭐️Breaking the silence around periods is not just a step towards eliminating societal stigma; it’s an investment in creating a harmonious, compassionate family where everyone contributes to a positive and respectful environment. 🙌🏻😊So, let’s keep those conversations flowing and build homes that prioritize empathy, understanding, and support. 💙🌟 Video credit - Stayfree #BreakTheTaboo #FamilySupport #OpenConversations#parenting#motivationalvideosonkids#familygoals#familybonding#teenagers

A new INTIMINA survey conducted by OnePoll researched the presence of stigma around menstruation across generations, which, despite societal shifts, persists. Growing up, Gen Z women (34%) had nearly as hard of a time talking about their period as baby boomers did (38%). Surprisingly, conversations about menstruation are more challenging than those about finances or politics while growing up. Even today, it remains a sensitive topic compared to mental health and finances. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dQmzx_S9 #INTIMINA

Vasectomy at 18 – a wild idea or a responsible step? 🧐 At a recent #WeBelongAfrica roundtable discussion, we debated whether men should have a mandatory (but reversible) vasectomy at 18. I know, it sounds extreme, but here’s why I agreed (for discussion’s sake 😅): Think about it: women have been expected to carry the burden of contraceptives for ages, despite all the hormonal side effects, discomfort, and responsibility that come with it. Meanwhile, men can casually opt out of the conversation. So, what if, just for once, we flipped the script? What if men had to take on a reversible contraceptive measure – just as a means of leveling the playing field? Of course, the men in the room raised the point that this would infringe on their rights. But here’s my counter: Rights don’t always mean comfort or fun. At 18, men are adults, but they aren’t necessarily ready to handle the lifelong responsibility of raising children, especially in today’s economy. By preventing unplanned pregnancies early on, we could help young people focus on building their lives and careers without the fear of early parenthood. And remember – the vasectomy is reversible when they are ready. Just some food for thought. After all, if women have carried this weight for so long, maybe it’s time to share the load?

If you have young women and girls in your life, read this report. It will surprise you. Super proud of our team's work at Brass Ring Communications to release this data on the well being of women and girls this week, Losing More Ground: Revisiting Young Women’s Well-Being Across Generations, for Diana Elliott's team at PRB. It's the first research of its kind to compare the earnings, education, and well-being of my daughter's generation, Gen-Z, to that of their mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers, when they were young women. Some findings are heartening: young women today make more money and are better educated than past generations. Some are less so: the mental health and physical health indicators are a tough read.  This generation is coming up and will influence life in our country in countless ways. These insights start to paint the picture of who they are - and why. Adam Zimmerman Jennifer Stapleton Maggie Myszka Walker Irving https://lnkd.in/ggd_86zH.

While nearly 70 percent of black women report being physically active during their teenage years, this number drops to around 45 percent as they enter their 20s. This decline in exercise participation could have various contributing factors, including changes in lifestyle, access to resources, socio-economic factors, cultural influences, and societal pressures. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach that considers the unique challenges women of color face in maintaining physical activity levels. Strategies may include: ✅Promoting inclusive and culturally relevant fitness programs. ✅Improving access to safe and affordable exercise facilities. ✅Providing education on the importance of regular physical activity. ✅Addressing barriers such as transportation and childcare. ✅Fostering supportive communities that encourage and empower women of color to prioritize their health and well-being. Additionally, initiatives aimed at challenging stereotypes and promoting positive body image within diverse communities can play a crucial role in encouraging more women of color to engage in physical activity throughout their lives. Source: npr.org The Office of Minority Health is to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of health policies and programs that will help eliminate health disparities. https://lnkd.in/eX7yPjVE #WomenEntrepreneurs #FierceWomen #WomenInBusiness #BreakingBarriers #MinorityHealth #HealthEquity #DiversityInHealthcare #CulturalCompetence #HealthDisparities

🤰Motherhood is an extraordinary journey, not just about the moment of having a baby, but the enduring commitment to nurture, guide, and cherish a life👶. It encompasses the physical, psychological, and emotional capacity like running after the toddler, teaching bike rides, staying up through fevers, and wholeheartedly engage in every chapter of their growth. ✨The empowerment of women has bestowed upon them the beautiful ability to make choices aligned with their aspirations. Economic empowerment has played a pivotal role in affording these choices. Yet, amidst this empowering narrative, the fundamental aspects of female biology remain unchanged. The reproductive age, a span of about 40 years, is accompanied with the aging process. For women, particularly those with medical conditions potentially impacting future fertility, understanding the implications of delaying childbearing becomes imperative. Those with a family history of conditions like diabetes or hypertension need awareness that aging increases the likelihood of these conditions, emphasising the importance of family planning. Empowerment isn't just about choices; it's about informed choices. Acknowledging the unique journey of a woman's body and making decisions that align with both personal aspirations and biological realities ensures a harmonious balance on the path to motherhood. This article speaks to Kenyan nuanced perspectives of of a generation of women and considerations thereof: 👇🏼 https://lnkd.in/d362eFvZ #WomenHealth #FertilityAwareness #EmpowermentJourney                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

The '50 and Fabulous,' Facebook community I created 2 weeks ago has over 500 members. To understand their interested, I sponsored a survey that received responses from over 300 women. Here are the findings: The Power of Sisterhood The multifaceted interests within this group go beyond the superficial, encompassing a commitment to connection and well-being on various levels. Whether it's the invigorating pursuit of exercise (85%), the intellectual stimulation found in a book club (56%), or a genuine desire to understand and navigate the physical and emotional changes associated with menopause and sexual health (31%), we seem eager to embrace a holistic approach to our well-being. Navigating Family Dynamics We acknowledge the challenges of parenting adult children and are seeking understanding and shared experiences. Twenty percent of the women surveyed expressed interest in exploring how to navigate changing family dynamics of older children. Differences in child-rearing approaches from one generation to the next often lead to tensions and complexities in the parent-adult child relationship. Sharing these experiences with each other provides ease in navigating the pain of misunderstandings and fosters a supportive community that acknowledges evolving relationship dynamics creating a space where individuals can learn from each other's challenges Looking for Purpose Whether we are reveling in newfound freedom post empty nest/retirement or seeking to combat the monotony that can accompany life’s later stages, our quest for purpose is a powerful motivator. 35% are interested in activities associated with mindfulness and spirituality and 54% are eager to explore cooking and art. Forty-four percent want to explore volunteer opportunities, and 77% just want to connect with other like-minded women. In Closing... The top two reasons women chose for joining the group were to expand their social network at 89% and learn from each other at 87%. When you've reached the point where you no longer need to prove anything to anyone, you're interested in sharing your gifts and experience, but also continuing to grow and learn. Why don’t more advertisers tap into this deep well of wisdom, experience, and goodwill by aligning their products and services with our values of purpose-driven collaboration? Let's bridge the gap and celebrate the incredible potential that lies within the 50+ female cohort. It's time to redefine the narrative and embrace the power of this vibrant demographic! 💪✨ #50AndFabulous #AdvertisingInsights #WomenEmpowerment

President Clinton once said, “Volunteering is an act of heroism on a grand scale, and it matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds; it changes the odds”. With a fellow Mastercard Foundation Scholar Chipo Paradzai, we set out for two voluntary engagements with focus on sustainable development. Firstly, we embarked on a journey to the dormitory town of Chitungwiza where we planted ten trees at St Mary’s High School, with the help of the school’s grounds staff. What was profoundly striking on the day was the ground staff’s zeal to fully understand the UN Sustainable Development Goals which were engraved on a huge placard which we had carried along. The next day we set out for Beatrice, to a remote school called Muda High School. Through her networking acumen, Chipo had sought working partnerships with two non-governmental organisations, Dzidzo Safe Pad and Catalyst Foundation, which have a standing arrangement with the school on various initiatives meant to capacitate and empower young women. The day, 28 May, coincided with World Menstrual Hygiene Day, and we were allotted time to speak on the linkages between SDGs and menstrual health. As we navigated the bumpy dirt road to rural Beatrice, I would always imagine that our audience was going to be exclusively made up of girls, as we were to touch largely on menstrual health. When we got to the school, we found all boys and girls sitting under the calming shade of the msasa tree, which is quite prevalent in the area. My foolish assumptions of an audience exclusively made up of girls were addressed by one young witty lad who had been asked on the relevance of boys being part of the event. He answered, “I have a sister, I have a mother, one day I will get a wife and maybe I will have a daughter - I am inseparable to the health issues of my immediate family and community”. Having been aptly schooled, together with my colleague Chipo, we gave a brief talk on the alignment of menstrual health to SDGs, focusing on SDG3 (Good Health), SDG5 (Gender Equality), SDG6 (Clean Water & Sanitation) and SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities). I also got to fully reflect on the importance of menstrual health as an integral element of public health. With representatives from Danai Safe Pad, we facilitated a session on making reusable sanitary pads. It was great seeing young boys and girls honing their craft in making reusable sanitary pads with the prime goal of ending “period poverty” which is quite prevalent in marginalised areas of Zimbabwe. Many thanks to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Edinburgh and Samwel Jankey Memorial Fund for the funding which we utilised in carrying out our volunteering activities as well as the leadership and coordination from Inga Ackermann and Precious Munatenzi. Many thanks to my partner Chipo! We may not have beat or changed the odds, but there is nothing more satisfying than serving others! We will do it again!

Announcing Our New Intersectional Initiative: Focusing on Disability and Periods I am excited to announce a new initiative from the Period Priority Project. This initiative takes an intersectional approach to periods, focusing on the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. The goal is to identify accessibility issues, evaluate the adequacy of current policies, and provide recommendations for improvements. Additionally, I seek to enhance public awareness campaigns to better serve the menstrual health needs of individuals with disabilities and offer practical advice to those who may be struggling. About the Period Priority Project: The Period Priority Project is a grassroots initiative leading the menstrual equity movement in Newfoundland and Labrador, and with significant impact in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Yukon. The project has made remarkable strides in addressing menstrual health challenges through various achievements: 1. Product Distribution: We have distributed over 24,000 menstrual products, including pads, tampons, liners, menstrual cups, and period underwear, to those in need. 2. Educational Workshops: We conduct free reusable cloth pad sewing workshops for students, empowering them with sustainable menstrual solutions. 3. Campus Initiatives: Free period product baskets have been established in gender-inclusive washrooms across campuses in Newfoundland and Labrador, ensuring accessible menstrual care for all students. 4. Period Positivity Podcast: Our Spotify Period Positivity Podcast features insightful episodes on topics such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, menstruation as a plus-size woman, and period poverty in Indigenous communities. 5. School Presentations: We offer educational presentations on period poverty and menstrual equity in schools, fostering awareness and understanding among students. 6. Digital Resource Bank: A free digital resource bank comprising presentations and menstrual health handbooks is available, contributing to the dissemination of essential knowledge on menstrual health. As the first initiative of its kind in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Period Priority Project is distinguished as the sole group dedicated solely to advancing menstrual equity. We remain steadfast in our mission to foster positive change, dismantle societal barriers, and champion menstrual health for all. Join us in our continued efforts to drive meaningful change and advocate for the health and dignity of all individuals.