Women’s midlife health: PCW and WMPOWER address the ‘missing middle’

The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and Women in Midlife for Partnership, Openness, Wellness, Equity and Reform (WMPOWER) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together on public awareness, education, and policy advocacy concerning perimenopause and menopause.

The partnership aims to expand menopause and perimenopause awareness, strengthen community capacity, and include women’s midlife health in gender and policy discussions.

The signing took place at the PCW Office at the Malacañang Complex in Manila. The agreement frames women’s midlife health as a concern connected to health, gender equality, and human rights, with a focus on making women informed, supported, and visible in relevant discussions.

Initial talks took place on April 27, 2026, when WMPOWER representatives Marilen Elizalde and Bel Laureola paid a courtesy visit to PCW Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla. They were later invited to a PCW Board En Banc meeting, where they presented their advocacy to reduce stigma and raise awareness about perimenopause and menopause.

At the signing, Valdeavilla spoke about the place of midlife health concerns in public discussion:

“For the longest time, the health concerns of women in midlife have been relegated to the sidelines, often dismissed as mere personal or private burdens. Republic Act No. 9710 clearly mandates that every life stage of a woman must have complete institutional support. Through our formal partnership with the WMPOWER Council, the PCW is bringing perimenopause and menopause into the mainstream policy, legislative and executive discourse. We are not merely aiming to spread awareness; we are committing to pushing for institutional health policies that ensure every Filipina receives adequate medical support, workplace accommodation, and holistic care during this pivotal chapter of her life.”

WMPOWER President and Co-Founder Bel Laureola described the need for better information and support:

“Caring for women’s health must continue well beyond their reproductive years. Millions of Filipinas experience the severe physical and emotional transitions of menopause and perimenopause in absolute silence, completely detached from professional guidance or institutional empathy. Our partnership with the PCW allows us to empower midlife women with credible information and solid support systems. More importantly, it gives us the legislative platform to lobby for structural policy reforms that guarantee equal wellness opportunities and equitable healthcare access for aging women nationwide, perfectly aligning with the life-cycle approach to health guaranteed under RA 9710.”

The media briefer describes a “missing middle” in women’s health: limited awareness and accessible information, gaps in national data, and a lack of dedicated national programs and clinical pathways focused specifically on midlife women’s health and menopause.

It cites the 2024 Census of Population of the Philippine Statistics Authority, which puts the number of Filipinas aged 35 to 55 at around 13 million. Many are managing work or businesses, caring for children and aging parents, running households, and contributing to their communities.

The briefer also notes that symptoms may go unaddressed when they are normalized, difficult to discuss, poorly understood, or not supported by accessible and credible information. It identifies potential effects on women’s health and quality of life, as well as productivity, work performance, income, family life, and community participation.

The agreement establishes a framework for non-commercial cooperation and advocacy. Its objectives include raising awareness in communities, workplaces, and government institutions; building the capacity of barangay health workers, primary healthcare providers, and Gender and Development Focal Point Systems; and expanding access to evidence-based information through local government and GAD communication channels.

It also calls for reducing stigma, encouraging informed public discussion, and promoting the inclusion of women’s midlife health in GAD planning, capacity development, advocacy, and policy discussions where appropriate. The MOU lays the groundwork for broader collaborative programs that the parties may agree on based on the outcomes of their advocacy work.

The partnership is set within the framework of the Magna Carta of Women, or Republic Act No. 9710, which affirms women’s role in nation-building and their right to health, including reproductive and sexual health across all stages of life.

PCW will provide policy guidance and technical support, share neutral information through government networks, designate a focal person to monitor the MOU, and allow conditional use of its branding and speaking presence. The agreement specifies that this does not extend to endorsing or recommending WMPOWER’s paid services.

WMPOWER will design and implement partnership programs with local stakeholders, keep its materials evidence- and rights-based, use PCW branding only with written authorization, and submit activity documentation and progress reports regularly.

The MOU is non-commercial and does not make PCW a provider of medical or clinical services, commit the Commission to funding WMPOWER programs, or constitute PCW endorsement of WMPOWER’s paid programs, products, or services.

The PCW is the primary policy-making and coordinating body on women and gender equality concerns in the Philippines. Under the mandate of the Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act No. 9710), the PCW champions the institutionalization of gender-responsive governance across all government agencies, local government units, and civil society partners. By actively driving legislative reviews and national advocacy campaigns, the Commission ensures that the human rights, institutional protections, and developmental needs of Filipino women are safeguarded across every biological life stage—from youth and reproduction through midlife and senior citizenship.

WMPOWER is a pioneering multidisciplinary advocacy council in the Philippines dedicated to transforming how the nation approaches midlife women’s health. Focused specifically on perimenopause and menopause, WMPOWER bridges the gap between public awareness, professional medical guidance, and institutional support. Through data-driven community education, grassroots LGU partnerships, and high-level legislative lobbying, the organization works to dismantle social taboos, secure workplace wellness accommodations, and ensure that aging women can access equitable healthcare and thrive with dignity.