BSMS > About BSMS > Working here > Inclusivity > Gender equality work

Gender equality work

Athena Swan Charter

The Athena Swan Charter is an international framework which promotes and supports work undertaken to address gender equality within higher education and research. The charter recognises commitment to advancing the careers of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) employment. A key principle of the Athena Swan structure is to support the promotion of inclusive working practices that can increase the retention of valued academics and professional and support staff, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to an equitable working environment.

BSMS is committed to the Athena Swan Charter and have received the following awards:

2014 — Bronze Athena Swan Charter Award. The document is available to download here >
2017 — Silver Athena Swan Charter Award. The document is available to download here >
2023 — Gold Athena Swan Charter Award. This document is available to download here >

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE ATHENA SWAN CHARTER HERE >

BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL

Inspirational women of BSMS

Read the interviews and view the photobook that celebrates the inspirational women who work at BSMS.

Menstrual Health work

BSMS Period Dignity Scheme and Menstrual Health Work for Athena Swan Gender Equality Charter

A BSMS Athena Swan Gold commitment is to actively tackle barriers related to gender equality through the promotion and delivery of International Women’s Day (IWD) events and campaigns, to continue to promote our ‘Inspirational Women’ series and increase the visibility of staff from marginalised groups. BSMS has also committed to increasing funding for resources linked to the Period Dignity initiative across all BSMS estates. This includes offering free reusable period products to all first-year medical students who menstruate during Freshers week. This initiative has been rolled out in 2024/25 and 2025/26, and we have also donated period products to a student Gynaecological Conference.

BSMS seeks to expand our commitment to tackling barriers related to women’s health through the development and implementation of a menstruation policy.

Overview

Since 2022, BSMS has provided staff and students with 10,102 period products
Since 2024, BSMS has provided students with 320 reusable period products at Freshers Fairs

Menstrual Health talks, workshops and podcasts:

5 October 2022: Music, Activism and Conversation plus concert from international colleagues at the University of Sussex
11 March 2023: IWD at Brighton Dome with Dr Chi Eziefula hosting a session
30 March 2023: IWD event at the University of Sussex: A conversation about periods for every body with Dr Chi Eziefula and Jane Dancey. Evaluation forms: 22 responses – 100% agreed the session was beneficial.
24 November 2023: The period experience for every body – Meeting House, University of Sussex. Evaluation forms: 16 responses – 100% agreed that these events are beneficial and more education needed to shift the taboo.
March 2025: IWD event (online): Do Doctors Really Understand Women's Health?
September 2025: What’s up Docs? podcast on BBC Radio 4 – ‘Is there a normal menstrual cycle' with Dr Chi Eziefula.
January 2026 – What’s up Docs? podcast on BBC Radio 4 – ‘Endometriosis’ with Dr Chi Eziefula.

BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL

Resources

Women in Higher Education Network

The Women in Higher Education Network (WHEN) hosts a platform for women including self-identifying women, trans women and non-binary people from all backgrounds, who work in any role in the higher education sector. WHEN recognises and celebrates women’s differences and is dedicated to equity of opportunity for women in higher education.

If you would like to find out more about the WHEN network and how to join, visit the website below.

VISIT THE WHEN WEBSITE HERE >