A few days ago, Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani argued against period leaves, grabbed numerous headlines and created quite a stir on social media. Different people had different kinds of opinions regarding period leaves. While many were in favour of it considering a large chunk of women experience very painful periods, there were also a good number of people who thought that women could take sick leaves instead.
However, Smriti Irani, yet again, explained herself. Earlier she had mentioned that menstruation isn’t a “handicap” and that the Indian government shouldn’t issue a policy granting women period leaves. This time, she said that a woman’s menstrual cycle shouldn’t be known to the employer.
“For you to mandate (menstrual leave across all segments) and make it lawfully implemented, people have to report implementation. Imagine a scenario in the private sector. When somebody has to implement it, your HR guy has to know, your accounts guy has to know…why should a woman’s menstrual cycle be known to the employer,” Mint quoted her saying.
She further argued that if a woman chooses to not take those leaves, she would face harassment and it would create new barriers for women.
“Imagine if it’s a single woman…who chooses not to take those leaves that she is supposed to be granted. Can you imagine the harassment that women will have to face…Imagine a floor with 20,000 women… we are creating new barriers for discriminating women,” she added.
She went on to urge women who are facing painful periods to visit the doctor and get themselves checked as it could be a hormonal or genetic issue.
“If you look at the challenge with regard to severe pain, it’s an indication of hormonal and chemical imbalance or (it has) a genetic inclination to it…which means you need a doctor immediately…you can’t self-medicate, especially when you are above the age of 25.”
Do you agree with what she has to say?