In the lead-up to World Menopause Day on October 18, MPower, a Jamaican women-led advocacy group committed to reshaping the menopause conversation across the Caribbean, will host MPower Yourself — an empowering evening of education, storytelling, and community connection for women navigating the perimenopause and menopause transition.

The event will take place on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 5:30 pm at Scotiabank’s Corporate Learning Centre, 4 Arcadia Boulevard, Kingston 8.

The evening’s centrepiece is the screening of the internationally acclaimed documentary The M Factor.

Through deeply personal stories and expert medical insight, the film tackles the often-ignored physical, emotional, and professional challenges women face during menopause, including hot flashes, anxiety, weight changes, and workplace stigma.

The film features expert commentary from Drs Sharon Malone, Mary Jane Minkin (Yale), Wen Shen (Johns Hopkins), and Stephanie Faubion (Mayo Clinic and The Menopause Society), and directly addresses how women of colour uniquely experience menopause.

“This is not just a film screening, it’s a turning point for women in Jamaica,” says Sacha Chung, occupational therapist and MPower co-creator. “We want women to feel seen, informed, and confident in speaking about their health and demanding the support they deserve at home, in the workplace, and in health-care settings.”

Following the screening, attendees will participate in a live Q&A session with a panel of expert women’s health specialists, each bringing years of knowledge and culturally relevant insight.

Dr Kudzai Dombo, a US-based OB-GYN and Menopause Society certified practitioner, will address the distinct ways menopause presents in women of colour. Dr Dainia Baugh, president of the Heart Institute of the Caribbean, will explore the critical link between menopause and cardiovascular health. Dr Michelle Bailey, reproductive health specialist at Hugh Wynter Fertility Management Unit, will highlight how to protect sexual and reproductive wellness through mid-life and beyond.

“[M]any suffer in silence,” said Jodi Mair, fitness professional and MPower co-founder. “This event is about breaking that silence and helping women feel empowered to take control of their health and well-being.”

MPower was created by Sacha Chung, Jodi Mair, and entrepreneurs Elena Diedrick-Lynch and Leisha Wong, co-directors of Elle Creative. As a team, they bring expertise in wellness, advocacy, and storytelling, all driven by a shared passion for creating space for women to be informed, supported, and heard.