Period leave debate: A welcome move or setting a regressive example?
LThe Kathak exponent hopes for a world with lesser violence and more compassion. “There should be more of sensitivity and reasoning, and I hope we can learn to coexist. There is no one path to harmony, and each path is beautiful,” she says. adies, is it ‘that’ time of the month when you experience excruciating cramps and can’t focus at work but feel shy to talk about it? To help break the stigma around menstruation, a food aggregator has announced up to 10 days of ‘period leave’ in a year for its female and transgender employees. The step has sparked a debate, as some argue it’s a much-needed move that will help normalise menstruation, while others believe that it may portray women in weak light.
“It is an organisation’s responsibility to make work environment comfortable for all employees. Menstruation is a natural phenomenon and we have to break the stigma associated with it,” says Vijay Sethi, chief human resources officer of a two-wheeler manufacturer.
Period leaves need to be considered by companies from the perspective of equity, gender equality and general well-being of their employees, believes Nitisha Pandey, action network fellow at Youth Ki Awaaz. Pandey, whose current workplace, Indian School of Development Management, has a policy around periods, says, “Almost everyone without a uterus has an
The designer wishes for freedom from fear. “A lot of despair and fear has set in. I wish there is freedom from hopelessness and economic uncertainty, and I wish for people to live at ease again,” she shares. opinion on how menstrual leaves will affect productivity. Should I be punished for a normal function of my body? Am I not giving in to the patriarchal norms when I’ve to ‘perform’ while in pain?”
Social worker Anurag Chauhan of WASH (Women, Sanitation, Hygiene) project by NGO Humans for Humanity says, “Women should have the choice whether or not to take such a leave. However, implementation is difficult... There needs to be a dialogue about the issue with the policymakers.”
In a television commercial featuring actor Radhika Apte, a personal hygiene product brand dared to show red colour on the pad instead of the usual representational blue. Kartik Johari, vice president, Nobel Hygiene, argues, “Period leaves may legitimise the idea that women are delicate or weaker than men... This may nudge hiring managers to hire
The photographer and installation artist wants freedom from mistrust and fear. “There is the world of love and trust, which binds humanity... That is what I want for myself and every Indian” he says.
The restaurateur wishes for freedom from child hunger, this I-Day, and says, “I would love to see more compassion for all.”
Sanchita Kalra
more men, as they won’t require ‘monthly’ breaks.”
Does the nature of work add to the discomfort during periods? Gynaecologist Dr Veena Aggarwal says, “In a study, emotional aspects have affected period pain... Symptoms of dysmenorrhea (pain with period) are significantly higher in people with desk jobs.” However, she feels that the concept of period leave defeats the purpose of female equality. “Women should have the option to work from home or take a sick leave, not a paid leave,” she adds.
DR VEENA AGGARWAL GYNAECOLOGIST