Global GDP could rise by $1 tn with a focus on women’s health: Study

A Stellenbosch Business School study says global GDP could increase by around one trillion US dollars by 2040, if employers start prioritising and addressing women’s health issues. This is according to health coach Candace Feinberg.

Her comments follow the release of the 2024 Womens Report by the Stellenbosch Business School, which says employers need to place stronger emphasis on the health needs of their female employees.

South Africa is marking Women’s Month in August.

Feinberg says the voices of women need to be heard.

“This years Deloitte Women @ Work report definitely validates what I am hearing from my clients on a regular basis. Women feel they need to suffer in silence out of fear of being ostracised, or made to feel somehow incompetent in the workplace. It’s difficult to get to weekday doctors’ appointments, work schedules are inflexible, and leave policies are restrictive. So, while there are positive strides forward, we need to do more work on the ground, to change workplace policies and environments that actually suits the reality of women’s needs.”