From Awareness to Action: Why Workplace Advocacy for Endometriosis Still Matters

Part of the problem is that we tend to think that equality is about treating everyone the same, when it’s not. It’s about fairness. It’s about equity of access. — Judy Heumann

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It’s the month after Endometriosis Awareness Month, and today is World Health Day.

And wow — what a powerful, emotional, and exhausting ride March has been.

At work, our Women’s Network kickstarted the month with a virtual call focused on endometriosis. I sat in awe, listening to some incredibly brave colleagues share their experiences — their truths — about living and working with this illness. Some even penned heartfelt blog posts that went up on our intranet. I was so moved. So proud. So seen.

And yet… I remained silent.

See, I had planned to do a “Lunch & Learn” session — to talk about managing work and health with endometriosis, and how something like our new Periods Toolkit could be a game-changer. But the irony? My own health and my towering workload caught up with me. I was exhausted. Mentally and physically. And that moment — that desire to advocate inside my workplace — passed me by.

I took it as a sign to zip it. To quietly shelve my ideas, retreat and forget about workplace advocacy.

Which is odd, because outside of work hours? I’m loud. Bold. Unapologetic. I share, I blog, I campaign. I wear my “African Endo Warrior” badge with pride. But inside these corporate walls? It’s different. There’s fear. There’s hesitation. There’s that nagging feeling that speaking up might somehow make people see me differently. Less capable. Less reliable. Less “together.”

As someone who is deeply passionate, ambitious and driven in my professional life, endometriosis has been both a motivator and a challenge. It’s a condition that doesn’t only affect your reproductive system — it affects your energy levels, your mental health, your mobility, your diet, your relationships… and yes, even your ability to show up at work in the ways you’d like to.

Here are three major workplace challenges for individuals (including myself) with endometriosis:

1. Unpredictable Flare-Ups

One day you’re fine, the next you can’t get out of bed or sit through a meeting without pain. It’s hard to plan, and even harder to explain to colleagues who can't see the pain.

2. Fatigue and Brain Fog

Endo fatigue is real. It’s not just being tired. It’s like walking through quicksand with your brain wrapped in cotton. Trying to be productive, articulate, and “on” becomes a monumental effort.

3. Stigma and Silence

Talking about periods, pelvic pain, or reproductive health still feels taboo in many professional settings. So we work through it. Quietly. Often in shame. Often at the expense of our own health.

So imagine my pride when I saw a meaningful step being taken at work — the introduction of our Periods Toolkit.

This toolkit was developed to raise awareness around period-related symptoms and chronic conditions like endometriosis and to highlight the support and policies already available within our workplace. It opens the door for more informed, empathetic conversations about how period health intersects with productivity, mental health, and equity.

But here’s the twist. Even in my silence, I’ve connected with other warriors at work. Quiet, strong individuals who, like me, live with endo and have found strength in solidarity. We've had those offline, side-bar conversations. We've checked in on each other. We've swapped tips, stories, and survival tactics.

And it’s reminded me that even small, quiet acts of advocacy matter.

Even so, it feels as though there are still barriers. Internalised shame. Fear of being seen as unreliable. Worry about opportunities being withheld. But the toolkit feels like a step forward. Maybe it is. A sign that change is possible.

And maybe… just maybe… it’ll spark similar conversations in other organisations. Maybe more governments across Africa will follow Zambia’s lead in recognising period leave as a legitimate and necessary policy. Maybe global attitudes will start to shift. One step at a time.

As we step out of Endometriosis Awareness Month and mark World Health Day today, I’m reminded that good health isn’t just about curing disease. It’s about creating environments — especially work environments — that support people as they live through chronic illness with dignity and care. Because while we wait (impatiently) for a cure, we still deserve workplaces that care.

Endometriosis is real.

And it affects 1 in 10 (possibly even more) people assigned female at birth.

And it deserves a seat at every table — yes, even the boardroom.

The pain doesn’t clock out when we walk into meetings.

The flare-ups don’t wait until we’re done with deadlines.

The fatigue doesn’t care about our to-do lists.

And yet, we still show up. We still lead. We still exceed expectations.

I’m so proud of the work we’ve started — from the Periods Toolkit to the brave voices breaking the silence. I want more of that. I want a world, and a workplace, where endometriosis is understood, not dismissed. Where “normalising periods” isn’t just a campaign line, but a lived reality.

Because let’s be honest — real change requires more than just awareness months.

It requires policy.

It requires empathy.

It requires systems that support us, not spotlight us for a few weeks and forget us for the rest of the year.

And so, even though I didn’t host that Lunch & Learn, this blog post is me picking the mic back up. This is me choosing to be visible again. Because if my voice can make just one other person feel less alone — it’s worth it.

To the quiet warriors at work, and everywhere — I see you. I hear you. And I’m with you.

You are not weak.

You are not overreacting.

You are not broken.

You are simply surviving in a world that’s still learning how to support us.

And your voice — your story — matters.

Here’s to louder conversations.

Here’s to policy that protects.

Here’s to workplaces that care.

Here’s to action — not just awareness.

To employers and leaders — if you want your people to thrive, consider how you can support those managing invisible illnesses. Start the conversations. Implement the policies. Believe us when we say we’re in pain. Because wellness at work should be a right, not a privilege.

One toolkit, one policy, one honest conversation at a time. Let’s keep pushing for real, impactful change.

Happy World Health Day!!

Love and light,

Hlengz - The African Endo Warrior

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