Menstruation Not A Handicap, No Need For Paid Leave Policy: Smriti Irani

New Delhi: Menstruation is not a “handicap” and shouldn’t warrant a specific policy for “paid leave”, feels Union Women & Child Development minister Smriti Irani.

“As a menstruating woman, menstruation and the menstruation cycle is not a handicap, it’s a natural part of women’s life journey… We should not propose issues where women are denied equal opportunities just because somebody who does not menstruate has a particular viewpoint towards menstruation,” Smriti said in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, in response to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) member Manoj Kumar Jha’s question on menstrual hygiene policy in the country.

In a written response submitted in the upper house, Smriti said: “A small proportion of women/ girls suffer from severe dysmenorrhea or similar complaints; and most of these cases are manageable by medication. However, the issue of menstruation and its associated activities are surrounded by silence, often treated with shame and associated with social taboos that restrict mobility, freedom and access to normal activities for menstruating persons, and many a times leads to their harassment and social exclusion. It becomes even more sensitive, when a girl/ menstruating person is unaware of the changes that she undergoes emotionally and physically, while facing her menstrual cycle for the first time.”

In October, the Central government had released a draft Menstrual Hygiene Policy advocating leave provisions for menstruating individuals in workplaces.

“Educational institutions and workplaces to promote inclusivity, recognise the diverse needs of the workforce and foster an environment that supports the well-being and productivity of all individuals. Provisions like flexible working arrangements, such as work from home or support leave, to accommodate the specific needs of individuals during menstruation. It is important to emphasise that such arrangements should be available to all, to prevent perpetuating stigmas or assumptions about productivity based on menstrual cycles,” the draft stated.

Last week, however, Smriti told the Lok Sabha that there was no proposal under the consideration of the government to make provision for paid menstrual leave mandatory for all workplaces.

In the written response, Smriti mentioned several government schemes for menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls aged 10-19 years.

“The Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene, backed by the National Health Mission, aims to raise awareness and is implemented through State Programme Implementation Plans. Additionally, under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has developed National Guidelines on Menstrual Hygiene Management for rural areas,” the minister said.