Women’s health concerns do not end with the reproductive years—a message taking greater prominence as the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and Women in Midlife for Partnership, Openness, Wellness, Equity and Reform (WMPOWER) formalize a partnership focused on perimenopause and menopause.

Through a memorandum of understanding, the two groups are opening a wider conversation about the realities Filipino women face in midlife, particularly health changes that are often overlooked, misunderstood or quietly endured.

The collaboration traces its beginnings to April 27, 2026, when WMPOWER representatives Marilen Elizalde and Bel Laureola met with PCW Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla to explore areas where their organizations could work together. WMPOWER was subsequently invited to present its advocacy before the PCW Board during its 11th En Banc Meeting.

At the heart of the partnership is an effort to make reliable information on perimenopause and menopause easier to access while encouraging women to seek appropriate support without embarrassment or fear of judgment.

For many women, midlife arrives at a particularly demanding stage. They may be building careers or businesses while simultaneously raising children, caring for aging parents, managing households and taking active roles in their communities. Changes associated with perimenopause and menopause can add another layer to those responsibilities, potentially affecting well-being, family life and performance at work.

The partnership hopes to address what advocates describe as a “missing middle” in women’s health—the period that receives comparatively limited attention between reproductive health concerns and the health issues associated with later life.

Among the challenges identified are gaps in public awareness, insufficient Philippine data about women experiencing midlife changes and the absence of a comprehensive nationwide program devoted specifically to menopause and women’s midlife health.

Under the collaboration, attention will also be given to people who are often among the first points of contact for women seeking assistance. Barangay health workers, primary healthcare providers and Gender and Development focal persons are envisioned as important partners in improving recognition of midlife concerns and directing women toward appropriate resources and services.

Another priority is reaching communities where credible health information may be harder to obtain. Through local government and GAD communication networks, the initiative seeks to make evidence-based and culturally appropriate information more accessible, including to women in underserved and geographically remote communities.

The numbers underscore the importance of the issue. Citing the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2024 Census of Population, the partnership notes that approximately 13 million Filipino women are between 35 and 55 years old.

Beyond health education, the initiative seeks to change how society talks about menopause itself. Normalizing informed conversations at home, in workplaces, communities and government institutions could help dismantle the stigma that has kept some women from discussing symptoms or asking for help.

The partnership is anchored in the broader principle that women deserve health support throughout every stage of life. The Magna Carta of Women, or Republic Act No. 9710, provides an important legal backdrop by affirming women’s right to health and substantive equality.

PCW is expected to contribute policy guidance and technical support while helping disseminate neutral information through government networks. WMPOWER, meanwhile, will develop and carry out advocacy initiatives with local stakeholders, with materials expected to remain evidence-based and grounded in women’s rights.

Both organizations have also drawn a clear boundary around the agreement: the partnership is non-commercial. It does not turn PCW into a clinical or medical service provider, does not obligate the commission to finance WMPOWER activities, and should not be interpreted as government endorsement of WMPOWER’s paid products, programs or services.

More than an institutional agreement, the partnership puts a spotlight on millions of women whose midlife experiences have too often remained outside mainstream health discussions.