Message from the Editor

Welcome to the 2024 edition of the Women’s Report!

While it is true that men and women both face the stresses and challenges that accompany life’s upheavals, the impact on them, as well as their subsequent responses, differ.

For millennia, medicine has functioned on the assumption that male bodies can represent humanity as a whole.⁽¹⁾

This year’s Women’s Report promotes gender-sensitive information sharing about women’s health concerns such as toxic stress, cancer, menopause, and pregnancy in the workplace. In Women and Stress in the Workplace, Renata Schoeman explains the effects of good and bad stress — eustress and distress. Mia Barnard, in Supporting Women Employees with Breast Cancer, provides a heartrending glimpse into the world of a woman battling to overcome breast cancer.

In Working while Pregnant, Salome Maswime paints a picture of what it takes to balance two worlds, while, in Menopause and the Modern Working Woman, Antonella Silver addresses the intricacies of navigating menopause. I hope you will find these articles both insightful and helpful.

Enjoy the 2024 edition of the Women’s Report!
Anita Bosch

(1) Criado Perez, C. (2019). Invisible women: Data bias in a world designed for men. Harry N Abrams Publishers.

Prof. Anita Bosch

Women’s Report Editor

Anita holds the Stellenbosch Business School Research Chair dedicated to the study of women at work. She has a PhD from the School of Management of the University of Southampton (UK) and is a professor at the Business School, where she teaches in the organisational behaviour and leadership tracks.

She is the editor of the annual Women’s Report and has published numerous public reports, articles, and book chapters on diversity and women’s issues. Anita regularly engages in public forums such as print, online and broadcast media.

Behind the scenes

Magic truly happens when you combine talent and hard work. Two professionals have journeyed with the Women’s Report — meticulously delivering functional art and wordsmith skill for more than a decade. They invest a lot of themselves to deliver the best to their clients.

Thank you to Teresa Kapp, dedicated and meticulous Specialist Language Editor, and Graphic Designer Mrs Smith for your commitment to delivering a world-class offering.