Category: International Women’s Day

Let’s talk about women’s health

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Women’s health is political. You only have to glance at the news to see debates and discussions on a whole range of issues directly related to women’s health – reproductive rights, maternity care, the gaps in research and funding.  

All of this means there’s a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding out there. That’s why it’s so important that you do your own research to look after yourself, prioritise your health and advocate for yourself. 

To mark International Women’s Day 2026 we’ve pulled together some of the most important topics that you should be thinking about. 

What can you do to look after your health? 

Register with a GP

It sounds simple, but getting registered with a GP is often something people don’t think about until they need to book an appointment. UWE has a health centre which is open to all our students, no matter which campus you study at. 

Contraception and sexual health

This is an area where there’s a huge amount of misinformation online. Protecting yourself from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections is so important, and if you have questions or concerns then it’s vital you get your information from a valid, qualified source. Firstly, speaking to your GP or surgery nurse is an obvious start, but there are reputable websites where you can find out more information. 

  • The Lowdown: A Women’s Health Review Platform – people rate their opinions on different methods and discuss their own experiences on certain types of contraception. 
  • Contraception Choices – this has a really nice visual tool which shows the likelihood of pregnancy on all methods of contraception. The information on this site is also approved by the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare so the information is trustworthy. 
Periods and hormones

The NHS recommends tracking your cycle to understand what your hormones are doing each month. Not only does this allow you to get in tune with your body, but it helps your notice any changes which could be cause for concern or further investigation. Knowledge is power! You can use apps to track your cycle (just be aware of how your data might be being used) or you can keep it simple by making notes in your phone calendar, or even an old-school paper diary. 

Routine NHS screenings and vaccinations

There is a programme of routine health screenings and vaccinations which is designed to both protect you from illnesses and also ensure early detection of disease.  

  • All children are offered the HPV vaccine at age 12/13, as it reduces the risk of you getting human papillomavirus, which can lead to an increased risk of certain types of cancer. You can check your vaccine status through your GP and arrange to catch up with any you have missed. 
  • From the age of 25 you will be invited for cervical screening, which checks the health of your cervix and helps prevent cervical cancer. 
  • Check your breasts. As with all health-related issues, knowing what is normal for your body is very important. The NHS recommends that everyone checks their breasts or chest around once a month, so you have the best possible chance of noticing any changes. 
Drugs and alcohol

UWE Bristol’s specialist drug and alcohol practitioner Becky Risley says that due to the male-dominant focus of most drugs research, the evidence on the specific risks for women remains limited, meaning harm reduction advice may not always fully apply to them. However, we do know that women typically reach high blood-alcohol concentrations than men, and appear more vulnerable to MDMA-related complications.

  • This makes it especially important that you measure your dose, stay hydrated and avoid feeling pressured into keeping up with others. 
  • In our recent survey, 26% of female students reported using drugs occasionally, compared to 18% of male students. The good news is that these students told us they were more likely to engage with harm reduction advice and seek support when they need it. 
  • Check out the UWE Drug and Alcohol webpage for information and guidance on reducing risks. 
Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Around one in five women have a mental health condition, and there are some societal issues which can put women at risk of poorer mental health than men. All of this means it is important you have awareness of your own mental health, the things you can do to look after yourself, and how you can access support when you need it. 

  • The Wisdom app is your go-to place if you’re feeling stressed, anxious or you just need a little extra support. You can chat with a qualified counsellor anytime through live chat, video call, phone or WhatsApp, and there’s also self-help tools. 
  • Every Mind Matters is an NHS campaign focusing on mental health, and includes specific advice and support for young people. 

Healthy relationships at university

Author Student Communications | Posted on

For many students, university life offers a lot of new experiences, including new relationships.

You will meet new romantic partners, new course mates, flatmates or new friends — as well as experiencing extended time away from old friends, partners or family members. You might also be living abroad for the first time or discovering your identity or sexuality. 

Relationships can be complicated. Understanding the foundations of a healthy relationship will help you establish positive connections and ensure you feel comfortable, safe and well supported.

Remember, relationships aren’t meant to make you feel bad. You have the right to be respected, be comfortable and be happy in any relationship.

Last year, for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women we spoke to you, our students, to find out what you thought were ‘green flags’ and ‘red flags’ in relationships – behaviour that was appreciated and supported, and behaviour that was unacceptable or abusive.

Your suggestions for ‘green flag’ behaviour in relationships included:

  • Good communication
  • Asks for consent 
  • Caring
  • Emotionally intelligent 
  • Empathetic
  • Respectful
  • Supportive
  • Trusting and trustworthy
  • Allows room for independence and self sufficiency
  • Willingness to learn and work through problems

And your examples of ‘red flag’ behaviours in relationships included:

  • Aggression or anger 
  • Control
  • Gaslighting into desired behaviour
  • Disrespect
  • Jealousy
  • Possessiveness
  • Judgment 
  • Deception 
  • Manipulation
  • Narcissism
  • Obsessiveness
  • Sexism 
  • Violence 
  • Poor communication 
  • Lack of empathy
  • Lack of consent 

What to do if you think you’re in an unhealthy relationship

Well done for recognising this. This is often the hardest part! Here’s some steps to help if you think you’re in an unhealthy relationship: 

  • If you’re ready to talk, speak to a friend, family member, member of staff or someone you trust about how you’ve been feeling.
  • If you feel like you’re in physical danger, call 999 if it is safe to do so. If you’re on campus, dial 9999 from a telephone connected to the University network to reach your campus control room.
  • Reach out to one of support services, wellbeing services or book an appointment with our Anti-Sexual Violence Service.
  • Contact a helpline or support services, some are listed under ‘External resources’ at the bottom of our Healthy Relationships page.
  • Use our report and support tool to flag something that makes you feel upset or uncomfortable.
  • Reach out to the Student’s Union Advice Centre if you need help finding new halls of residence or private accommodation, or email the UWE Bristol accommodation service.
  • Build a support network of people you trust and want the best for you.
  • Try and regain some independence from the relationship.
  • Prioritise your health and wellbeing.
  • Don’t let this experience impact other relationships. Think about what went wrong, what you would do differently and what you want new relationships to look like. Create new boundaries or set new expectations for the future in order to maintain your happiness.

How to support someone in an unhealthy relationship

Supporting someone you believe is in an unhealthy relationship should be approached carefully. You may be their only advocate, so try not to force them to do anything or shame them in any way.  It is important to remind them that they deserve to feel happy and safe in their relationship and that any form of abuse is not acceptable.

Listen to them and their experiences and try and see the whole picture. Let them know you are there for them and they can trust you. Leaving toxic relationships, ending friendships or making the decision to end contact with family members are all huge, emotional decisions. The person may need time to adjust, come to terms with the situation and even see the scenario the way you do. Help them to seek professional help in the form of local charities, helplines or encourage them to contact UWE’s wellbeing and support services. You’re doing a great thing, well done. 

Check out our healthy behaviours web page for more guidance and external resources, as well as our wellbeing services.

International Women’s Day: becoming an ally for the women in your life

Author Student Communications | Posted on

by Emma, BA (HONS) Media Communications

International Women’s Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for gender equality and women’s rights. This year I’m wondering what small changes everyone can make to be a better ally. Being an ally to me involves listening to women’s experiences, challenging gender stereotypes, and fighting against discrimination and violence. Allies should aim to create spaces where women’s voices are respected and celebrated.

Allies need to listen, learn, and consistently advocate for women, even when it involves confronting difficult issues like misogyny and sexism. For me, having supportive peers at university who encourage and recognise my potential makes all the difference. It improves my mental wellbeing and boosts my confidence when someone makes me feel heard and reinforces my capabilities as a woman, especially in fields like PR where women dominate but may not be as celebrated.

Allyship celebrates qualities like resilience, strength and connection, helping to break barriers and support progress despite the challenges. It’s important to make women feel comfortable by addressing uncomfortable comments, catcalling, and inappropriate behaviour, in public and especially in the workplace. I find it useful and comforting when someone speaks up in an uncomfortable situation; one where I may feel too small to react in. We need more allies to ensure women’s safety and comfort are prioritised, just as they are for men.

Having allies that relate to my struggles and understand me makes me feel part of a community and understood. Women should support each other, though this isn’t always the reality. Women can sometimes bring each other down, but small acts of kindness like a compliment or even a smile can brighten someone’s day and make someone feel seen. Personally, I’m working on complimenting others first more often – I want to make the effort to uplift others.

Becoming an ally

Becoming an ally means supporting women every day and creating a more inclusive and empowering environment. To help, start by:

Educating yourself

Feeling listened to as a woman allows me to have the confidence to share my experiences and educate others on what past situations have made me feel uncomfortable, or if something didn’t sit right with me. Read books, listen to podcasts by women, and ensure the women around you feel safe and valued.

Speak up

When you witness inequality, say something! Having been in many situations where nothing was done, I can confirm it’s so disheartening to experience as a woman. Support women’s achievements, share their work, and give credit where it’s due. This is a big one – women deserve the same song and dance that men get.

Mentorship

Women are wise and strong. We should all try a little bit harder to offer guidance and support to other women, whether professionally or personally, to help elevate each other. Lastly, support women-owned businesses by investing time, money, and resources into their success.

These everyday actions are simple but powerful ways to be an ally and make a meaningful impact on women’s lives.

International Women’s Day is a reminder that empowering women benefits everyone. Achieving true gender equality requires the collective effort of women, men, and non-binary people. This year, let’s celebrate women and remember that we can all be allies.

Happy International Women’s Day!

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