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This year’s event marks a significant moment in the broader launch of the GCC Menopause Hub, with a revitalised brand and digital platform, created with a clear purpose: To champion the health and well-being of women by providing trusted information, building a supportive community, and advocating for a society that embraces and supports women at every stage of their lives.

In alignment with the UAE’s Year of the Community, the one-day summit will once again convene leading regional and international healthcare experts to shed light on this universal biological process affecting 100% of women globally. The event aims to foster open dialogue, share crucial information, and empower both the medical community and the wider public.

The summit forms part of a growing movement across the region to create a future where menopause is embraced as a natural life stage, where women thrive throughout their midlife journey, and where the GCC is recognized as a leader in supporting women’s health and well-being.

The summit’s agenda is thoughtfully curated to provide a comprehensive understanding of menopause, bringing together clinicians, healthcare practitioners, legal and HR professionals, and fitness experts. Business leaders, facilitators, and advocates will contribute the latest data and knowledge, aiming to equip attendees with the resources needed to navigate perimenopause and menopause effectively.

Recognizing the global shift towards acknowledging and addressing menopause – a life event historically shrouded in silence and stigma – the summit will feature panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and networking opportunities. These interactions will provide a platform for women to connect with leading experts in the field and foster a supportive community.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 470 million women worldwide are currently experiencing menopause, with a significant portion facing severe symptoms that impact their daily lives. The UAE is increasingly becoming a regional leader in addressing this critical health issue, evidenced by initiatives such as the menopause panel at Expo 2020 Dubai led by the United Nations Population Fund and the opening of dedicated menopause clinics.

“It is time to break the taboo,” emphasizes Sharon James, women’s wellness menopause educator and co-founder of the Summit, a dedicated advocate for changing the narrative around menopause. “For too long, women have navigated this significant life stage in silence. This isn’t a localized issue; it’s a global reality. Our hope is that through open conversation, more women will feel heard and seen. Many experience debilitating symptoms that significantly affect their quality of life, and this summit aims to be a crucial turning point in providing them with the support and information they need. But it’s not just about those currently in menopause—it’s also about inspiring the generation behind us to prioritise their health and wellbeing early on. By empowering younger women to understand their bodies and make informed choices now, we can help set them up for a healthier, more supported menopause journey when the time comes.” 

Menopause, while typically occurring around the age of 51, can affect women as young as their 30s. Beyond the physical changes, the end of a woman’s fertility cycle can also present significant psychological challenges.

Dr. Aagje Bais, MD, PhD, Consultant Gynaecology and Medical Advisor to the GCC Menopause Summit, said:

"The first GCC Menopause Summit marked a pivotal moment in opening up much-needed conversations around women's midlife health in our region. It was encouraging to see such strong engagement from both healthcare professionals and the wider community, and I’m pleased to be involved again this year as we continue building on that momentum.

As a consultant gynaecologist, I often meet women who feel unprepared for the physical, emotional, and mental changes that accompany perimenopause and menopause. Despite being a natural transition, this stage of life is still too often surrounded by misinformation, stigma, or silence. The summit provides an important platform to challenge that—by offering clear, evidence-based information and fostering open, supportive dialogue.

Whether it's understanding hormone therapy, navigating symptoms, or simply finding your 'new normal'—there are options, and there is support. Women deserve to feel informed, heard, and empowered as they move through this phase of life.

I’m proud to contribute a medical perspective to such a meaningful initiative. Together, we're helping make menopause visible, discussable, and better understood—not just in the healthcare system, but across communities in the GCC and beyond."

Education remains a critical focus. 

A recent survey in the Middle East revealed a significant gap in physicians' knowledge regarding menopause diagnosis and management, underscoring the urgent need for increased training and awareness within the medical community.

The GCC Menopause Summit 2025 seeks to address these critical needs by providing a platform for education, connection, and advocacy, ultimately striving to improve the well-being of women across the region and beyond.

It is part of a growing regional commitment to reframe midlife for women—not as a period of decline, but as a powerful stage of reinvention, health, and empowerment.

Attendees and potential speakers are encouraged to learn more about the summit and its mission [email protected]

About The GCC Menopause Summit: 

The GCC Menopause Summit is an annual event held in the GCC region bringing together regional and international experts to discuss the natural biological process that will affect 100 percent of women worldwide.  The event aims to educate and inspire attendees from both the medical profession and the community alike, in a bid to raise awareness and break taboo of menopause. 

As part of the wider GCC Menopause Hub initiative, the Summit also serves as a flagship moment in a year-round effort to build community, drive education, and push for policy change across women’s health in the region.

For more information visit www.thegccmenopausehub.com or contact us at [email protected]