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Berlin, October 15 – Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär (CSU) has announced a significant funding initiative of 21 million euros to boost research into menopause. The announcement, made in Berlin, addresses a topic that has long been considered taboo despite its widespread impact on women’s lives.
Addressing a Neglected Issue: Menopause Research Gets a Boost
Minister Bär emphasized the urgency of this funding, stating, “There are nine million women in menopause, 80 percent of whom experience symptoms, and one in three has to adapt her life accordingly, even to the point of being unable to work.” She further noted that many women even withdraw completely from public life due to these symptoms, underscoring that “this is not a niche topic.”
The federal government will commence funding researchers in this field starting in 2027. The initial allocation of 21 million euros will be distributed among research institutions in Jena, Homburg/Saar, Witten/Herdecke, Leipzig, Freiburg, and Tübingen.
Breaking the Taboo: Minister Bär’s Personal Experience
Bär highlighted that menopause has long been a taboo subject. She lamented that even today, many men react with shock when the word is simply uttered. Recounting a recent experience, she shared that at a reception, after waiting outside for an extended period, a colleague offered her his jacket. She playfully responded that she didn’t need it due to perimenopause, which was met with awkward silence. In contrast, she noted that women often express gratitude when such matters are openly discussed.
Germany’s Position in Gender-Equitable Research
When asked to rate Germany’s progress in gender-equitable research on a scale of zero to ten, Bär stated that no country in the world currently scores an eight, nine, or ten. However, she acknowledged that some countries are very advanced in specific disciplines, citing the UK’s progress in menopause research. Germany, she believes, is in the middle, scoring a five or six. She reiterated her previous statement that Germany is still a developing country in gender-equitable research, adding that globally, “we are still in the Neanderthal.”
The initiative aims to not only advance scientific understanding of menopause but also to destigmatize the topic and improve the quality of life for millions of women in Germany.
Source: https://www.berlinstory.de/news/baer-will-wechseljahre-forschung-mit-21-millionen-euro-foerdern/
