Awareness months are important. But awareness without action is just words. On the International Day of Action for Women's Health, let's talk about what real advocacy looks like—from the doctor's office to your bedside drawer.
We're good at awareness. We wear ribbons. We share infographics. We change our profile pictures for a day. We nod along to the statistics and feel briefly informed. And then we go back to our lives.
But here's the uncomfortable truth: awareness alone has never changed a thing. Not really. Not the kind of change that matters. The kind of change that means a woman is heard in the exam room. The kind of change that means a product exists for a need no one was talking about. The kind of change that means you don't have to use your finger to clear medical residue because no one told you there was another way.
That kind of change doesn't come from awareness. It comes from action.
May 28 is the International Day of Action for Women's Health . It's a global campaign that has been running for decades, demanding that women's health be treated as a human right—not a niche interest, not an afterthought, not a political bargaining chip .
The day emerged from the Latin American and Caribbean Women's Health Network, and it's observed around the world with rallies, petitions, education campaigns, and direct advocacy . The focus is always on action: policy changes, funding shifts, and tangible improvements to the way women's bodies are treated by healthcare systems.
This post is about translating that big-picture activism into your own life. Because while we fight for systemic change, we can also take action in our own bodies. We can ask the questions. We can demand better products. We can stop accepting indignity as the price of being a woman with a uterus.
Let's talk about what real action looks like—from the global stage to your bedside drawer.
What Is the International Day of Action for Women's Health?
The International Day of Action for Women's Health (sometimes called International Women's Health Day) has been observed on May 28 since 1987 . It started as a Latin American initiative and has since spread globally, with events and campaigns in dozens of countries .
The core demands are consistent:
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Access to comprehensive healthcare for all women, regardless of income, location, or identity
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Sexual and reproductive rights as human rights
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An end to discrimination in healthcare settings
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Increased research funding for conditions that primarily affect women
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Patient-centred care that listens to women's lived experiences
The day is not about symbolism. It's about strategy, pressure, and measurable change. It's about moving from "raising awareness" to "demanding action."
The Gap Between Awareness and Action
Let me tell you a story about the gap.
For years, women using vaginal pessaries for fertility treatment or endometriosis dealt with morning residue by using their fingers. They didn't complain because they assumed it was normal. They didn't ask for a better solution because they didn't know one existed. They suffered in silence, adding one more indignity to an already difficult journey.
Then one woman emailed me. She didn't just raise awareness—she took action. She said: "I'm using Aprés for this. It works. You should tell other women."
That single action changed everything. It expanded how we thought about our product. It led to new marketing, new conversations, and new solutions for thousands of women.
Awareness would have been: "Isn't it sad that women deal with this?" Action was: "Here's a solution. Use it. Share it."
That's the difference.
Real Life Story:
I think about Maria, who spent two years being told her pelvic pain was "normal" before she finally switched doctors. The action of finding a new provider—of refusing to accept dismissal—led to a diagnosis of endometriosis and, eventually, effective treatment.
I think about Chloe, who brought a written list of questions to her annual exam because she was tired of forgetting what she wanted to ask. That small action—writing things down—meant she finally got the referral she needed.
I think about Emma, who sent me that email. One woman. One action. And now thousands of women know about a different way to manage their treatment aftermath.
Action doesn't have to be a protest. It doesn't have to be a petition. Sometimes it's just one woman refusing to accept the status quo.
What Real Action Looks Like in Your Life
So what can you actually do—today, this week, this month—to take action for your own health and the health of other women?
In the Doctor's Office:
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Bring a list. Write down your questions before you go. Hand it to your provider. Don't leave until they're answered.
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Ask for specifics. "What are my treatment options?" "What are the side effects?" "How will we know if it's working?"
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Request a second opinion. It's your right. No good provider will be offended.
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Bring an advocate. A friend or partner can take notes and help you remember what was said.
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Say: "I need you to document that in my chart." If a provider dismisses a concern, ask them to write down that they refused to investigate. This often changes the response.
In Your Daily Life:
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Equip your body. Don't accept discomfort as inevitable. Seek out products—like pH-balanced lubes, breathable underwear, and Aprés—that make your daily experience better.
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Track your symptoms. Data is power. Knowing your patterns helps you advocate for yourself.
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Share what works. When you find a product or practice that helps, tell someone. Post about it. DM a friend. Pay it forward.
In Your Community:
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Normalise the conversation. Talk about your period. Talk about your pelvic floor. Talk about your treatment aftermath. Silence is the enemy of progress.
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Support women-led health companies. Put your money where your values are.
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Donate to research. Conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis, and PCOS are drastically underfunded. Even small donations add up.
In the System:
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Vote. For candidates who prioritise women's health. For policies that expand access.
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Write to your representatives. Tell them what matters to you. They need to hear from constituents.
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Leave reviews. Google Maps, Yelp, Healthgrades—review your providers honestly. Other women rely on this information.
The Aprés Story as a Case Study in Action
The story of Aprés and the fertility treatment community is a perfect example of action-driven change.
What could have happened: A woman uses Aprés for something unexpected. She thinks, "That's nice," and never mentions it.
What actually happened: She emailed us. She shared her story. She took action.
The result: A whole new use case. Thousands of women now have a tool for dignity that they wouldn't have known about otherwise. And we, as a company, now prioritise this audience in our marketing and education.
That's the power of one action. One email. One conversation. One woman refusing to keep her solution to herself.
Your Top Questions Answered!
1. "I'm not an activist. Can I still make a difference?"
Absolutely. Activism isn't just marching in protests. It's refusing to accept "that's just how it is." It's asking one more question. It's sharing a product that helped you. Small actions add up to big change.
2. "What if my doctor dismisses me?"
It happens, and it's infuriating. You have options: ask again, ask for a second opinion, bring an advocate, or find a new provider. You can also file a complaint with the clinic or medical board. Your voice matters.
3. "Isn't this just about individual responsibility? What about systemic change?"
Both matter. Individual action—advocating for yourself, sharing solutions—doesn't replace systemic change. But systemic change doesn't happen without individual action. They're partners, not competitors.
4. "Where can I learn more about women's health advocacy?"
Organisations like the National Women's Health Network, the Endometriosis Foundation of America, and the International Women's Health Coalition have excellent resources. Follow them. Learn from them. Support them.
Your 4-Step Action Plan for May 28 and Beyond
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Take One Action for Yourself Today. Make that appointment you've been putting off. Write down the questions you've been afraid to ask. Buy the product that might make your life better.
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Take One Action for Another Woman. Share a resource. Tell a friend about a product that helped you. Leave a review for a provider who listened.
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Take One Action for the System. Sign a petition. Donate to research. Share a post about the International Day of Action for Women's Health.
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Commit to Continuing. Action isn't a one-day event. Put a recurring reminder in your calendar: "What have I done for women's health this month?" Let it be a practice, not a performance.
Key Takeaways:
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May 28 is the International Day of Action for Women's Health—a global campaign demanding tangible change .
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Awareness without action is just words. Real change requires doing something.
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Action can look like: bringing a list to your doctor, switching providers, sharing a solution, or donating to research.
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The story of Après and fertility treatment is a case study in action—one email changed thousands of lives.
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Small actions add up. You don't have to lead a protest to make a difference.
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Individual advocacy and systemic change are partners—both are necessary.
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Silence is the enemy of progress. Normalising conversation is a form of action.
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When a provider dismisses you, you have the right to ask again, bring an advocate, or find someone new.
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This International Day of Action for Women's Health, choose action over awareness.
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Your body, your health, your voice—they matter. Act like it.
May 28 is the International Day of Action for Women's Health. Not awareness. Action. What will you do today? Make the appointment. Ask the question. Share the solution. And while you're taking action for your health, discover how tools like Aprés can support your daily comfort—because you deserve more than just awareness. Subscribe HERE for more honest conversations about women's health advocacy.
