Union Woman and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani opposed the proposal of paid period leave during the ongoing winter session of the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. While answering a question posed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) member Manoj Kumar Jha, she said menstruation and the menstruation cycle are not a handicap, and it’s a natural part of life. Her statement came as a reply to Manoj Jha’s questions on what measures were taken by the government to provide mandatory provisions for employers to give a set number of leaves to female employees.
Smriti Irani stated further that she is a menstruating woman herself, and we should not raise issues where women are denied equal opportunities just because someone who does not menstruate has an opinion about menstruation. She clarified at the end that her comments reflect her viewpoint and not the ministry as a whole.
When asked about the measures taken about harmful chemicals used in sanitary napkins, she declared that these issues fall outside the purview of the Women and Child Development Ministry. She emphasized that no complaints have been received yet regarding government-produced sanitary pads.
Additionally, she stated that workplaces should have reasonable accommodations for a woman to help with their menstrual cycle, similar to what the government has done to promote hospital-based delivery to avoid deaths due to postpartum hemorrhage.
Last Week, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also raised similar questions to which Irani replied that the government currently has no proposal under consideration to make provisions for making paid menstrual leave mandatory at all workplaces. She highlighted the existing “Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene Management” ( MHM) scheme which was implemented to spread awareness about menstrual hygiene in adolescent girls from 10 to 19 years old.
Irani views stand opposite to our Indian constitution. Article 15 of the constitution asserts that the state shall not be prevented from granting any special provisions for women and children while dealing with the prohibition of discrimination.
However, critics saw the statement as insensitive and dismissive. They argued that it trivialized the severe menstrual symptoms faced by many women, including debilitating pain, fatigue, and hormonal fluctuations. They pointed out that treating menstruation as “not a handicap” ignores the potential impact on women’s productivity, well-being, and participation in the workplace.
Earlier in February 2023, the honorable Supreme Court rejected a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated by Advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi. The court emphasized that the issue has a policy dimension that is under the center’s responsibility.
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SHOULD PERIOD LEAVES BE GRANTED?
Women who suffer from endometriosis often experience terrible pain and fainting spells during their cycle. Some complain about extreme mood shifts due to premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)- an extreme form of PMS.
The common complaints in all woman during their cycle include discomfort, vomiting, nausea, heavy bleeding, bloating, difficulty sleeping, etc. These symptoms often pose a hindrance to effectiveness and lead to a discomforting experience overall for the woman as she goes about her day.
COUNTRIES THAT HAVE PAID PERIOD LEAVE
In recent developments, Spain became the first country in Europe to pass a law allowing painful periods as a valid reason for applying for paid leave. Similar provisions are in place in countries such as Japan, Spain, Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Zambia.
Some Indian states, like Bihar and Kerala, also have provisions for the paid period. The Bihar government grants women two days of menstrual leave per month. In Kerala, all state-run higher education institutions have provisions for period leave
KANGANA RANAUT’S REACTION TO SMRITI IRANI’S REMARKS
Popular Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut took to her Instagram handle to express her support for Irani. In a long. The Instagram story asserted that working women are a myth, and there hasn’t been a single day in the history of mankind where a woman had a single non-working day. Be it farming to house chores to raising kids, nothing has come in the way of their commitment. She further mentioned that, unless there is a medical condition, women don’t need paid leave. She reiterated Smriti Irani’s statement, “Periods are not some illness or handicap, to end her statement.
The discussion on this issue highlights the complexities of menstrual equity in India.
