SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin
It follows yesterday’s publication by the British Government of the first-ever Women’s Health Strategy for England.
Ms McLaughlin is Secretary of the All-Party Group on Women’s Health.
Said the Foyle MLA: “For too long, women’s health has only been spoken about in whispers and we have faced disproportionate obstacles in accessing healthcare.
“Countless testimonies from women have demonstrated that the pain of women presenting to healthcare professionals is often dismissed, that women’s healthcare issues are not treated with the seriousness they deserve and that women do not feel listened to when accessing care.
“These challenges have a direct impact on women’s ability to fully participate in education and employment throughout our lives.
“Women are often forced to take time off work or miss important events in their lives because they are dealing with a health issue and are unable to obtain the right care.
“Due to the stigma around these issues many women suffer in silence and feel unable to come forward and we also need to challenge these attitudes if we’re going to move forward.
“While Scotland, Wales and England all now have dedicated strategies for women’s health, women in the North of Ireland are being left behind.
“We need a proactive and strategic approach to women’s health from the Department, to ensure that women have the timely access to healthcare they need and deserve.
“It is imperative that the Health Minister follows the example being set elsewhere and begins the work of designing a dedicated Women’s Health Strategy for the North of Ireland.
“We have heard much talk in recent years about addressing the issues and inequalities experienced by women in our society but have made disappointingly little progress so far,” added Ms McLaughlin.
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