Time to deliver on Endo
Britain’s first Women’s Health Strategy has proved to be one of 2025’s biggest turkeys and has led to rises in the very conditions it was meant to prevent – says our founder.
The much-heralded drive, launched with a full Government fanfare, promised to right the wrongs of the past by listening to women’s voices and boosting health outcomes for women and girls.
But Dr Sharma, creator of the Endometriosis Awareness North charity, has pointed to disappointing figures across the board – especially for females from BAME backgrounds – and an actual rise in the time it takes to diagnose one of the most painful conditions women face, endometriosis.
“The strategy was greeted with great relief because for the first time, it looked like women’s health was being given the profile it deserved” said Dr Sharma, “but at the moment these now seem entirely empty promises. There are close-on 600,000 women waiting for gynaecological appointments and those from BAME backgrounds are losing their lives because attempts to educate them on cancer screening have failed. The great leap forwards in women’s health has in fact become a giant step backwards.”
There have been some improvements since the Strategy first took shape. Access to fertility treatment has widened and the emergence of women’s health hubs has been roundly praised. But Dr Anita would like to see the creation of specific one-stop shops for endometriosis where everything from diagnosis, through to scans and treatment take place under one roof.
She also believes some of the issues faced are societal rather than just governmental. “A misogynist attitude to female health has led to women being dismissed, when they are suffering real pain” continued Dr Sharma. “The lack of research into female health complaints also smacks of prejudice. If endometriosis which leads to acute pelvic pain and organ failure affected one-in-ten men, you can bet resource would be poured into treatment and a cure.”
A key component of the charity’s work in 2026 will be to continue to lobby decision-makers. Since the medical profession is so lax on endometriosis, Dr Anita will continue to organise free training events and speak at resident and other doctor’s events.
She concluded: “There was such excitement when the Women’s Health Strategy was unveiled, but it is only right that politicians should be brought to account for the promises they made and haven’t fulfilled.”
Meet The King's man
Introducing our latest trustee Muzahid Khan MBE DL, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester.
An author, life coach and social enterprise director, his regal role sees him acting on behalf of the King’s representative in the region.
He was awarded an MBE for services for charity and the community, which included playing a significant part in the creation of the Pink Chai breast cancer campaign – the first in the UK aimed specifically at South Asian women.
We are delighted to have him on-board, and you can read more about him on OUR TRUSTEES page.
We turned over a new leaf in the battle against endo
Becoming a charity, hitting the headlines during endo month, and playing a pivotal role in a brand-new cancer campaign aimed at South Asian women.
The past year has seen us up the ante on not just endo – but women’s health in general. And it was achieved with both words and action.
Typical of this, was April’s drive to provide hygiene products to women in disadvantaged areas of Greater Manchester. Travelling in a vehicle appropriately called Hope, we visited women’s centres, hospitals, and community groups, making sure we raised the issue of period poverty wherever we went.
A novel way of raising awareness of endometriosis within the medical community also came in the early summer – as our founder Dr Anita Sharma published her new book. Called Endometriosis in Primary Care, monies raised are continuing to help fund research into the condition at the University of Manchester.
There have been a plethora of charity events, educational webinars, and presentations to everyone from junior doctors to politicians at Westminster. And in amongst the blitz of media activity, a raft of radio interviews during Endometriosis Awareness Month.
November saw the launch of the Pink Chai initiative. Based strongly on the MacMillan Coffee Morning idea, it saw groups of people meet together over a cup of Indian tea to discuss gynaecology. Particular highlights this year were our December event where we joined forces with national politicians and campaigners; and the moment when we were officially registered as a charity.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg for 2025. What remains pleasing is how much of our past work has been completed in partnership with others and how big a role YOU, our supporters, have played.
Our newest comment will come on the nation’s first Women’s Health Strategy – and it sums up the battle ahead. It illustrates how words are indeed great but mean nothing unless backed by action – a philosophy politicians could learn a lot about from you!
Find out what we're really about, on film
Click onto our brand new movie, detailing what Endometriosis Awareness North is all about Endometriosis Awareness North - YouTube
Featuring our treasured case study Courtney, it also gives medics a platform to call for quicker diagnosis of endometriosis.
With thanks to filmmakers Andrea Bertozzi and Pete Gibson Media.
Donate
We are registered with The Charity Commission. Our charity number is 1212676.
You can do your bit to research a cure to endo and support the one-in-ten women with the condition by going to our DONATE page.