Wellsteps To Women’s Wellbeing
August is Women’s Month in South Africa; a poignant reminder of the strength and courage displayed by women on the 9th of August in 1956 as they marched to change the face of history. These women wanted to overturn decisions made by the apartheid government, and they were instrumental in displaying the ferocity and bravery of women in a world that was then very much dominated by men.
Women of today are still forging ahead into a world where equal rights are becoming more prevalent. They are facing more pressures than ever, and we want to take a moment to acknowledge women of all ages, races and backgrounds, as we say:
Happy Women’s Month!
For most of the previous century, there has been a severe lack of attention on women’s health and wellbeing. Fortunately, this is changing and the focus is increasing worldwide. This Women’s Month, Healthi Choices would like to highlight the focus on women’s health and wellbeing, which is key to sustainable work performance and strengthening the influence that women have on their families and communities.
Some of the ways that women can ensure their health and longevity include:
- Pap smears – going for regular pap smears to detect cervical cancers or other abnormalities before they become problematic
- Going for annual mammograms to detect breast cancer
- Learning to self-examine one’s breasts to check for lumps or abnormalities
- HPV vaccinations to ensure reproductive health and prevention of multiple cancers
- Family planning knowledge sharing and support, as well as the practice of safe sex for prevention of STIs and unwanted pregnancies
- HIV testing for personal protection and protection of sexual partners
Women play an instrumental role as the custodians of wellbeing in society, as well as in the home. By highlighting the importance of women’s wellbeing, we are creating an opportunity for all women to recognise what small changes they can make to ensure a long and healthy life ahead.