Juno Talks
Changing the narrative one story at a time
In this first season of Junotalks,
We shared with you powerful testimonies of woman dealing with various intricacies of their cycle.
From endometriosis to contraception, they share their journey navigating tremendous challenges.
Juno Talks Season two is here!
This time, we hit the streets to ask strangers to answer a few questions.
Tune in on our Instagram for the full series!
Which countries offer paid menstrual leave?
Did you know that several countries around the world formally recognize menstrual health in the workplace? Nations such as Japan, Indonesia, Spain, Taiwan, and Zambia have implemented policies that provide paid menstrual leave, acknowledging the very real physical and emotional impact periods can have. Others — including South Korea, Mexico, and Vietnam — offer unpaid or more limited menstrual leave options, marking important, if partial, steps toward workplace inclusion.
And while progress has been uneven, meaningful change is happening. A state in India, Karnataka, has recently mandated menstrual leave for working women, setting a powerful precedent in a country where menstrual stigma remains widespread. Meanwhile, Spain made history as the first European country to introduce paid menstrual leave nationwide, signalling a shift in how governments and employers across the continent may begin to approach menstrual health.
These policies aren’t special treatment: they are recognizing menstruation as a normal biological process and creating work environments that allow people to show up with dignity
Understanding menstrual health is essential not just on a personal level, but on a societal one. Policies like menstrual leave challenge long-standing stigma and push workplaces to recognize menstruation as a legitimate health consideration. Through Juno Talks, we’re sparking conversations that connect lived experiences with policy progress — because informed dialogue is how cultural change begins.
If women live longer, why are they sicker?
We’ve all heard it: women, on average, live longer than men. Yet they also spend 25% more of their lives in poor health. This isn’t simply biology—it’s the result of long-standing gaps and blind spots in how women’s health is researched, diagnosed, and treated.
For decades, women’s symptoms have been under-researched or dismissed. Many conditions disproportionately affecting women—such as endometriosis, autoimmune diseases, or chronic pain—are often diagnosed late or not at all. Clinical trials have historically centered male bodies as the “default,” leaving critical gaps in understanding how diseases present and progress in women.
According to recent research, if these gaps in care were closed, women could collectively gain back more than 500 days of healthy life—time currently lost to preventable illness, delayed diagnosis, or inadequate treatment. That’s over a year of healthier living per woman.
The impact goes far beyond individual well-being. Improving women’s health outcomes would mean healthier families, stronger communities, and a more resilient workforce. On a global scale, better women’s healthcare could benefit 3.9 billion women and contribute up to $1 trillion to the global economy by 2040.
Women’s health is not a niche issue. It’s a societal, economic, and human issue. Through Juno Talk, we aim to spotlight these disparities and challenge the idea that poor health is something women simply have to live with. It’s time to stop overlooking women’s health—and start treating it as the priority it deserves.
Source: Ellingrud, K., Pérez, L., Petersen, A., & Sartori, V. (2024). Closing the women’s health gap: A $1 trillion opportunity to improve lives and economies. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/closing-the-womens-health-gap-a-1-trillion-dollar-opportunity-to-improve-lives-and-economies
Juno Talks: Season 1
Beyond the Pill
Meet Arwa, our featured advocate, as she unveils her journey battling dissatisfaction with conventional remedies for menstrual pain.
In this video, experience Arwa’s life and the effects of medication as she expresses her wish for a magical remedy during those challenging days.
Mindful Cycles
Meet Nina, a determined voice addressing the emotional toll of menstrual pain on her mental well-being.
In her video, Nina advocates for awareness and a compassionate society while sharing her pursuit of non-medication solutions and highlighting the limitations of current remedies.
The Athlete’s Journey
Meet Youstina, a dedicated athlete shedding light on the unique challenges faced by athletic women battling menstrual pain.
In her story, she recounts the ongoing struggle of enduring painful periods, even with medication.
