by Christine Riney, AWC Hamburg, AWC London & FAWCO Health Co-Chair
The Phases of Women’s Health
We are all on a journey through the phases of womanhood with each phase bringing unique and sometimes familiar health concerns, issues, changes. We have much to share and learn, and a desire for growth as individuals and as part of a community of women. Let’s join together across these phases of womanhood as we appreciate our strengths and embrace our vulnerabilities. Our life is a continuum, with a common thread that binds us together throughout our journey. It is our wish that these phases will resonate with FAWCO women as we discuss, connect and understand more about our health as women.
The Health Team would like to introduce you to five women, all moving through the phases of women’s health, and join us as we will look at their challenges and needs in relation to health in all its forms. The aim is to provide insight and guidance for FAWCO women by giving them a “person” who resonates with them, where they, their children, and/or their family, friends are along the continuum of a woman’s health. We are all linked with each and every stage whichever stage we are in today.
Our desire is to encourage women to share their expertise or their stories so that we as a community can feel heard and encouraged and learn how we can exist in sustainable healthy environments, whatever phase of womanhood we or those we care about are experiencing.
The sharing and connecting will take many forms:
- Expert-led workshops and discussions
- Stories in the form articles/videos/interviews from real women
Introducing Our Women
Phase 1: Blossom
Blossom is at that first stage of womanhood. She has raging hormones, acne, and confusion with new, unfamiliar emotions. Blossom has her first period, and her body is developing in new and not always welcome ways. The pressure from her friends, peers, school, and family is often too much to navigate alone.
Phase 2: Arise
Arise has so many questions and opportunities before her: will she find a partner, start a family? What about her career and work? All these questions and opportunities come with a set of challenges and even more questions. The answers can be clear for some women and daunting for others.
Phase 3: Balance
Balance is trying to keep life together, juggling everything and everyone’s needs – often before her own. Career, children, too little sleep and bad eating habits are getting in the way of her health and wellness, both mentally and physically. Balance finds herself feeling tired all the time and often on the edge.
Phase 4: Expand
Expand has so much room to move now. With the kids out of the house, there is a lot of space both in her home and in her life. Unfortunately not in her waistband – and her body is in upheaval; hormonal changes are wreaking havoc on who she is or thought she was. Expand’s parents need more support, but she is uncertain how to approach them or how to become the carer.
Phases 5: Wisdom
Wisdom has experienced so much in her life. Her ability to give her time and guidance to family, friends and community has bloomed. It is also time to receive when Wisdom needs support and someone to lean on.
Do any of these women resonate with you? Do you have a story to share about how you got through a phase, a health issue? Are you an expert in a phase of women’s health and want to share with other FAWCO women? Contact