In recognition of National Women’s Day, the pharmaceutical company Organon is giving all of its employees the day off. Geralyn Ritter, head of external affairs and ESG, for the women's therapeutics business, joined Cheddar News to discuss its call to action and its platform to grow awareness regarding specific health challenges women face. “We need to be more aware of the disproportionate impact that a tremendous number of stressors have on women and that includes broader global events from climate change to the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine with miles-long lines of women and children," Ritter said. "We simply have to make a decision that this is not acceptable anymore."

Opening Bell

Organon Gives Employees Day Off for National Women's Day

Geralyn Ritter, head of External affairs and E. S. G. At Organon joins us live from the floor of the new york stock exchange? I think you're somewhere behind me here, Jeralyn. Um can you just tell us a little bit more about this kind of initiative and why Organ in decided to actually launch it? Absolutely. We are thrilled to be here in recognition of International Women's Day and particularly because we know that women have dip prioritized their health for far too long and on international Women's Day, we are giving every single one of our employees all around the world the opportunity to take that day for themselves and do whatever they feel like they need to do for their health. Carolyn. What are some of the insights and health disparities that actually drove this initiative? You know, we looked at the data and an astonishing almost 80%, I believe is the exact number of women surveyed said that they put their health behind others in the household. They take care of other people first before they book their appointments if they ever do it at all. On top of that, we know that women have been disproportionately impacted by covid, millions have left the workforce and millions are suffering from stress burnout and other mental health issues. Speaking of the millions of women who have left the workforce, I mean this has been an alarming rate and we've covered kind of these stories and this data point, especially over the better part of the last two years? Why do you think that is? Why do you think we have seen this continued kind of moved from women, you know, pulling out of the workforce and what impact does this have kind of, you know, across businesses and certainly across the economy, You know, it's really tragic. I've seen studies that say that it will take decades for women to regain their place in the workforce, given the losses over the past couple of years, that's simply unacceptable. Surveys show that overwhelmingly women do the majority of the work at home of child care. And I think the data is very clear that the pandemic, the duties that women have at home on top of back to back to back meetings are simply exhausting for many women to say the least right. You know, we we know that you are actually a survivor of a traumatic injury and that has informed, you know, a lot of your your perspective and given you a unique perspective. Can you tell us just, you know, more about this and how this experience again has informed, kind of your outlook on resilience and really the healthcare challenges that so many women face, you know, I am a survivor of a traumatic train derailment. And if there's one thing that kind of experience tells you, it's that you do not take your health for granted life can change in an instant and we've got to take care of ourselves, what else do you think can be done to to kind of further bridge this gender gap that we certainly see in health care. I mean we can see everything from, you know, mortality rate of mothers to those who deal with traumatic industry injuries and whether pain is believed, there's so many factors when it comes to kind of the disparity in the healthcare space. What else can kind of bridge this gender gap there? You know, I think part of it is what we're doing right now. We had Organon hope to spark growing awareness and action on all of these kinds of issues. We need to be more aware of the disproportionate impact that a tremendous number of stressors have on women and that includes broader global events, from climate change to the tragedy unfolding in the Ukraine with miles long lines of women and Children, we simply have to make a decision that this is not acceptable anymore. Obviously, Organ in making that decision and you kind of champion that call um you know, with this initiative and beyond. Lastly, before I let you go here, what what else in terms of other players who can play a role? Obviously, Organon playing a role here. What's your call to other businesses to other leaders, to those um you know, in positions of power within the healthcare space to make this happen? You know, no one size fits all. I am at Oregon in we are a women's health company. And we said when we launched our company that we were launching not just a company, but a commitment to women's health and women's health and gender equity are inextricably linked. You cannot have one without the other. So depending on the industry, depending on the opportunity, depending on roles within the organization. Our call is that gender equity and women's health are more of a priority, not just in the private sector, but also in terms of public policy, hoping that your call is one that has certainly heard, really appreciate your time and certainly kind of your effort on this initiative. Geralyn Ritter, head of external affairs at e s G and e s G at organization.