May 07, 2024

Halle Berry addresses the stigma surrounding menopause

Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry teamed up with a group of US senators on Thursday to introduce new legislation aimed at allocating tens of millions of dollars toward menopause research and education.
"The stigma surrounding menopause must be eradicated. It's crucial that we openly discuss this natural phase of life," stated the Hollywood icon, renowned for her acclaimed performance in the 2001 romantic drama "Monster's Ball," for which she won the Best Actress Oscar.
The proposed legislation, known as the Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women's Health Act, is bipartisan and seeks to allocate $275 million (approximately R5.1 billion) toward research, awareness-raising efforts, and training for healthcare professionals to address the hormonal transitions experienced by women, particularly during middle age.
"Menopause should not be taboo. It's a natural process and should not be a source of shame," emphasized Patty Murray, a Democratic senator from Washington state, during a press conference held outside the US Capitol.
Murray and her colleagues stressed the importance of garnering as much bipartisan support as possible before advancing the bill to President Joe Biden's desk, though the exact legislative path remains unclear.
Berry, the first woman of color and still the sole Black woman to win the Best Actress Oscar, has been outspoken about her own journey through menopause and emphasized the need to destigmatize the issue.
The acclaimed actress, known for her roles in the "X-Men" series, the 2002 James Bond film "Die Another Day," and the controversial "Catwoman" (2004), shared that her doctor hesitated to use the term "menopause" in her presence.
"After realizing he was avoiding the term, I took matters into my own hands. I decided to do what no man could: I spoke up. I said, 'I'm experiencing menopause,'" Berry recounted to reporters.

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