She’s highly capable. A mentor. A stabilising force in her team. And she’s already halfway out the door. Not because of pay. Not because of a lack of ambition. But because the mental load she carries — quietly and consistently — has become too heavy. And no one noticed.

International Workers’ Day has long stood as a symbol of hard-won rights — fair wages, regulated hours, and safe conditions for those who carried the world on their backs. Fifty years ago, the conversation centred around factory floors and physical strain. Today, the frontline of workplace injustice looks different — but it’s just as real. It lives in unconscious bias — silent forces that shape how women are seen, heard, supported (or not) in the workplace.

When we think of workplace safety, we tend to picture hazard signs, ergonomic chairs, and emergency protocols. But for many women, the most persistent risks at work are the ones we don’t talk about—chronic stress, hormonal imbalance, burnout, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion. On this World Day for Safety and Health at Work, it’s time to rethink what safety truly means—and who it’s designed for.

We live in a world that constantly tells women to be strong, capable, and composed. To push through the tough days, juggle personal and professional responsibilities, and keep it all together—without ever asking how we’re really doing. But the truth is, behind every strong woman is a story, often filled with silent struggles. And in those moments when things feel heavy, having someone to talk to—without fear of judgment—is not just helpful. It’s essential.