By Carleen Pauliuk, Western Canada Vice President, Arthritis Society Canada
Arthritis is Canada’s most common chronic disease. And it is deeply gendered.
One in four women in Canada lives with arthritis, compared to one in six men. For many women, the disease strikes in their prime working years, compounding challenges they already face in professions such as teaching, nursing, caregiving and service roles — fields that are physically and emotionally demanding and often lack flexibility or adequate support.
The reality remains that women carry disproportionate caregiving responsibilities at home, managing children, aging parents and household duties, while dealing with the daily pain, fatigue and mobility challenges of arthritis.
The toll on women’s health, careers and futures is profound and too often invisible. Speaking up isn’t always easy, especially in professional settings where arthritis remains overlooked and misunderstood. Richa understands this challenge. After years of unpredictable joint pain and exhaustion, she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at just 22. As a young professional learning to adapt to her body’s needs, every day was a battle to show up as her full self. At first, it was difficult to advocate for herself, but over time, she learned to ask for the accommodations she needed to succeed.
“After years of learning to understand my body and finally finding the right treatment, I found relief,” Richa explains. “I know that to stay healthy, I need to prioritize rest, exercise, and a balanced diet to minimize flare-ups and inflammation. When I’m not feeling 100%, I’m honest with my family, friends and colleagues, and they’re always supportive.”
But not everyone living with arthritis experiences this kind of support. Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability and work limitations in Canada. More than half of working-age adults with arthritis are out of the workforce, underscoring the urgent need for better support around entering, remaining in, and re-entering the workforce.
Recognizing these challenges, Arthritis Society Canada offers a range of free programs and services to help empower women living with arthritis. Expert-led Arthritis Talks webinars provide valuable up-to-date guidance, while Arthritis Connections offers virtual supportive community-building sessions. Arthritis Line delivers compassionate support by phone or email, and arthritis.ca serves as a trusted hub for pain management tools, mental health resources, and medication information — helping women take control of their health and live well with arthritis.
Partnering with Arthritis Society Canada, Richa is using her voice to advocate for more inclusive, flexible workplaces — spaces where women with arthritis can succeed without stigma or barriers.
“It starts with awareness,” she says. “We have a real opportunity to normalize conversations, improve accommodations, and build inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.”
Help empower millions like Richa to live and work pain-free. Donate today at arthritis.ca/donate to champion innovation, fund arthritis research and support programs, and help build a future where no one is held back by arthritis.
