Since its founding in 2016, the Hera association, chaired by Maria Antònia Roca, has worked tirelessly to empower women and promote equality, with a special focus on raising awareness about osteoporosis and menopause. Roca, diagnosed with osteoporosis, launched this initiative to address a disease that progressively and silently weakens bones, often without symptoms until a fracture occurs.
One of the entity's cornerstones has been to break the taboo surrounding menopause, a vital stage closely linked to osteoporosis. Through monthly talks and public activities, Hera informs its nearly 120 members about the importance of early diagnosis through bone densitometry, a key test to detect the disease before it manifests with fractures.
“"It's hard for us to involve men; we are still in the mindset of: 'this is a women's thing.'"
The association's president laments the low male participation in informational activities, despite these issues also indirectly affecting them. According to Roca, current patriarchal society makes it difficult for men to be interested in issues traditionally considered 'women's matters,' even though they also experience hormonal changes like andropause, which they often live in silence.
In addition to its outreach work, Hera annually organizes the Hera Awards, which recognize the careers of professionals who contribute to the visibility of osteoporosis and menopause. In the latest edition, held on March 19 at the Llotja de Lleida, Núria Roure, Clara Selva, Bàrbara Munar, Alba Barbero, and Mari Pau Huguet were honored, the latter receiving the emblematic woman award.
The association has also established collaborations, such as with the Avantmèdic center, to provide its members with access to diagnostic tests like bone densitometry, gynecological check-ups, mammograms, and breast ultrasounds at affordable prices, with an annual membership fee of 25 euros.
