Union Women and Child Development minister Smriti Irani negated a policy for paid menstrual leaves in the parliament, as she believes this may lead to discrimination against women. In her words, “As a menstruating women, menstruation and menstruation cycle are not a handicap; it’s a natural part of women’s life journey…” This raises a plentiful heated argument with regards to women rights and gender sensitiveness. The crux of the matter is whether all women could be positioned under uniform arena or women’s dealing with periods are subjected to differ from women to women owing to their different health and living conditions or standards.
WHAT EXPERTS HAS TO SAY?
Renowned gynaecologist, health professional and psychiatrist considered the experience of menstruation for every woman is different. Some goes through severe symptoms pain. Cramps, heavy bleeding and dramatic mental ups-downs while others may not suffer much.
Besides social scientists said that suffering is amplified by women’s societal and economic conditions. Since an under privileged women have different responsibilities and circumstances be it travelling through public transportation or managing household duties. In contrast, privileged women don’t need to bother about those issues. This is the reason why formulating a uniform policy on curtailing paid leave during menstruation wont amount justice to women who are not equally situated. Further this is favouring discrimination and impacting productivity of women to large extent.
So far paid maternity leaves are concerned which cannot be compared to menstruation but giving birth is also a natural process and many women die because of post-partum haemorrhage. Eventually, Government has framed policy on institutionalised delivery facility accommodated in every government hospital. In line with this policy, an accommodation to ease menstruation complaints and required paid leave should also be promoted.
VARIED ARGUMENTS
General masses are vocal over the remarks of women minister and criticised her comment widely in social media platforms. Millennials and Gen Z have expressed their discontentment for not empathising with women issue, they have vehemently and vociferously criticised Minister’s insensitive statement. As per their expression women rights are been neglected. Our societal conditions and expectations have made this natural process has nothing to with women’s progress. Indeed, yes but progress should be promoted with supportive policy that is paid menstruation leaves and accommodative arrangement.
CONCERN OVER MISUSE
Granting paid leaves could be misused as other women laws are seen misused for several times. This may send a regressive disadvantage to work productivity and it may affects work culture adversely. So this needs to be taken into account before implanting policy related to paid leaves in menstruation. Rather some suggests two mandatory paid leaves in each month should be granted to women to meet the urgency of taking rest in initial two days of menstruation.
Additionally, awareness campaign with respect to maintain hygiene and affordable usage of sanitary pads requires to be spread massively.
