EMPLOYERS are being urged to become educated to better understand the extent of an invisible and incurable disease affecting many women in Barbados.
Endometriosis affects one in ten women of reproductive age and they can live in severe pain, which is often dismissed as having bad periods.
However, President and founder of the Katrina Endometriosis Fund Association, Katrina Alleyne, says there is something more serious underneath these symptoms which she and her team are seeking to raise awareness, of not only the physical impact of this disease, but also the economic impact, as many women are faced with losing their job at a time when they can least afford it.
Alleyne, who was diagnosed back in 2012 after years of living in pain said: “This condition occurs when tissue similar to that of the womb is found elsewhere in the body such as the pelvic, bowels, intestines, lungs, arms and legs. The neglect of this condition causes many to suffer from infertility.”
“It has no designated age class or creed and has a tremendous impact in performance, on marriages, relationships, family and the social cost is high. It’s not a woman’s disease but a human disease, the trickle effect is devastating to those who do not understand.”
She explained that the condition is a huge economic burden as a large number of terminations occur in the work place due to lack of productivity and performance once a month for many while some have a daily effect.
“Careers are halted and lives are altered as this financial and personal decision changes your life forever. Many want to work but the reality is some can’t. Some fight hard to hang on cause it’s their only means of sustaining themselves and family but then the record of sick days and time away are grounds for many companies to resort to women with endometriosis being dismissed.”
The president of the registered charity says that considering all the associations and information available now as opposed to20 years ago employers still find it difficult to understand why the performance levels drop at the time of menstruation.
“For some with more severe cases anytime of the month, not only does the pain and bleeding take a toll but also the fatigue causing a breakdown in the performance mechanism of the body. An employer’s attitude and sensitivity are very important towards women with this condition especially in those work environments consisting a vast number of females.”
She explained that due to the high cost associated with the disease, most women do not go public with such health issues for fear of being victimized and pitied by peers or terminated from the job. “Granted some employers are open and understanding it is realized that it is not feasible given the absence generated over a period. ‘Yes’ there are meds which can be taken for the pain however they cause as drowsiness and take away the ability to focus as a result some of the women resort to being self-employed.”
“There’s no doubt that women with understanding heads were more likely to remain employed, rather than those who didn’t received positive attitudes. Endometriosis is already hard to live and cope with. Our jobs keep us grounded in this costly economy and many times there are single moms are the only bread winners in the home”
“An endo-lioness is a warrior and will not succumb to such without a fight. She wishes to be seen just as equal and efficient as her colleagues, only needing others to be empathetic not sympathetic,” she said.