Menstruation profoundly impacts the lives of women, yet it remains a taboo subject. In many parts of the world, menstrual and reproductive health can determine a person’s opportunities and quality of life. In South Africa alone, over 4.9 million girls suffer the indignity of poor menstrual hygiene, often resorting to using rolled-up newspapers and rags.
But menstruation is only the beginning of a lifelong journey of hormonal changes that many women navigate with insufficient support or understanding. A 2021 survey by the British Menopause Society revealed that 41% of women experiencing menopausal symptoms said it negatively affected their work performance, and 1 in 10 women quit their jobs due to these challenges. This is part of the broader landscape of women’s health issues that Chelsea Anne Hornby, the 31-year-old Founder and CEO of Elle International, is determined to change.
A Mission Born From Personal Struggle
Chelsea’s mission to empower women and advance health equity in Africa began with her own struggles. At 23, she invested her life savings to establish Elle International, choosing purpose over personal ambition. Her journey began with addressing menstrual health, providing effective, hygienic, and sustainable sanitary wear alongside comprehensive education to help young women stay in school. But as Chelsea’s work grew, so did her understanding of the broader gaps in women’s health.
“Women’s health is so much more than reproductive health,” Chelsea emphasizes. “It encompasses every stage of a woman’s life, including perimenopause and menopause, which are still shrouded in stigma and misunderstanding.”
Bringing Menopause and Perimenopause Into the Spotlight
Perimenopause and menopause are natural biological transitions, yet they remain overlooked in healthcare systems worldwide. Statistics from the National Institute on Aging show that 75% of women experience vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes during menopause, and 20% endure symptoms so severe they interfere with their daily lives. Meanwhile, research published in the journal Menopause reveals that up to 47% of women report memory issues during menopause, yet these concerns are often dismissed as inconsequential.
Chelsea has made it her mission to ensure that these critical stages of life receive the attention they deserve. Through Elle International, she has developed initiatives aimed at addressing the unique challenges of perimenopause and menopause.
“Women often feel isolated during perimenopause, struggling with symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, and emotional distress that can derail their careers and personal lives,” Chelsea explains. “Through education, tools, and community, we’re helping women understand and navigate these changes with confidence.”
One of Elle International’s flagship projects is a suite of solutions for menopausal women, including customized health programs, coaching services, and innovative workplace interventions. These programs focus on:
- Symptom management: Practical advice on managing hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and mood swings.
- Hormonal health education: Empowering women with knowledge about their changing bodies.
- Workplace advocacy: Helping companies create menopause-friendly environments, complete with policies and support systems that prioritize inclusivity and productivity.
Chelsea’s Transformative Impact: Statistics Tell the Story
Chelsea’s holistic approach to women’s health resonates deeply, supported by global and regional data:
- A 2022 Deloitte study found that 20% of the global workforce is women aged 45-55, yet few employers have resources to support menopausal employees. Chelsea’s programs directly tackle this gap.
- Studies reveal that women are 50% more likely than men to quit their jobs after age 50 due to health challenges. By empowering women through workplace solutions, Elle International is not only improving lives but also reducing gender disparities in the workforce.
Through Elle International, Chelsea also champions the role of nutrition, lifestyle, and technology in alleviating menopause symptoms. Her application, Womany, provides personalized health guidance, syncing with users’ work schedules and daily lives to optimize productivity and wellness.
Womany is a revolutionary health companion designed to empower women by providing personalized, science-backed support throughout every stage of their lives and health journey. From managing menstrual cycles to navigating perimenopause, menopause, and fertility planning and reproductive health conditions like PCOS and endometriosis, Womany leverages advanced technology to simplify complex health challenges. With features like hormone tracking, cycle syncing for optimizing productivity, and real-time advice on symptom management, it bridges the gap between traditional healthcare and everyday wellness. What sets Womany apart is its ability to integrate seamlessly into a user’s lifestyle, offering tailored recommendations for nutrition, exercise, and mental health. The app also educates and equips partners and workplaces to foster a more supportive environment. Whether you’re striving for balance, managing chronic conditions, or simply seeking clarity, Womany ensures that every woman feels seen, understood, and empowered to make informed decisions about her health. In a world where women’s health is often misunderstood or neglected, Womany is the ultimate ally, ensuring no woman has to navigate her journey alone.
Advancing Health Equity Through Innovation
From tackling period poverty to addressing menopause, Elle International’s initiatives are grounded in cutting-edge solutions and transformative projects:
- ElleHealth: A platform empowering women with greater control over their health data, enabling integrated care across providers.
- Moxie: A smart dispenser ensuring access to critical women’s health products in rural areas, bridging the gap between need and supply.
- Manufacturing Revolution: Establishing Africa’s first plant-based fiber production facility to create eco-friendly menstrual products, positioning South Africa as a global leader in sustainable manufacturing.
A Journey Marked by Resilience and Recognition
Chelsea’s journey has been one of extraordinary perseverance. Despite personal tragedies, including the loss of her father to cancer and her sister to a heart attack, she has remained steadfast in her mission. Her dedication has earned her global acclaim: she is a Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst, a recipient of the World Women Leadership Award, an MIT SOLVE Semifinalist, a Vital Voices Global Fellow, and a Mastercard Women SME Leaders Award honoree (Africa & Middle East), among numerous other accolades in healthcare innovation, are a testament to her visionary leadership.
Chelsea’s leadership extends to prominent global platforms, including her participation in the WSIS+20 High-Level Event and her role in the ITU Partner2Connect Digital Coalition, cementing her status as a changemaker driving transformative solutions for women worldwide.
“Every woman we help is a tribute to those I’ve lost and a reminder of why this work matters,” Chelsea says. “Empowering women to take control of their health isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity.”
Looking Ahead: Unlocking the Potential of Every Women
Chelsea’s work is more than a professional endeavor; it is a deeply personal mission to create a ripple effect of empowerment. From menstrual health to menopause, she is transforming the narrative of women’s health at every stage of life.
“As we challenge societal norms and break barriers, I believe we’re creating a future where every woman feels valued, supported, and equipped to thrive,” Chelsea concludes. “This isn’t just about healthcare—it’s about dignity, equality, and unlocking the potential of every woman.”
