Smriti Irani’s controversial statement on menstrual leave: ‘How can you make fun of such a serious issue as a woman?’
Menstruation is not a disability but a natural part of a woman’s life journey. Today, when women are getting more and more opportunities, I think we should not raise issues that have equal opportunities for women. Be negative.’
These are the views of Indian Member of Parliament and Minister of Child and Women’s Welfare Smriti Irani, who expressed them when a bill for paid leave for women on menstrual days was presented by a male member of the assembly.
On this statement made by Smriti Irani in the Assembly, women were seen expressing their views not only on Indian but also on Pakistani social media. Some women were very rude.
Although women still get leave during menstruation in many sectors, it is considered as sick leave. Feminists want this leave to be called ‘period leave’ and it should be given every month without deduction of salary.
A resolution in this regard was also presented in the Indian Parliament, which was opposed by the minister there.
‘Periods can be very painful for some women’
Archana Pawar called Smriti Irani’s statement disgusting, irresponsible and childish.
Minister of Women and Child Development. This is why education and knowledge are so important. Your words shocked me madam, how can you make fun of such a serious issue as a woman?
“Have you even bothered to read the research done by the world’s top institutions on why period breaks are so important?”
He further wrote, ‘Have you ever suffered from PMS, PCOS/PCOD, mood swings, physical fatigue, mental stress, painful periods, lower back pain, abdominal pain, fatigue and headaches? Heard about pain? Women are still expected to do all the housework and office work without showing any sign of distress. What I don’t understand is how can we say that this is against equal opportunity and discrimination in the workplace?’
A woman named Elizabeth also addressed Smriti Irani and wrote: ‘As a woman herself, you should know that we did not ask for our periods, they were imposed on us. Thus nature has made us unlike men. Periods can be extremely painful for some women, especially those with conditions like PCOS and endometriosis.
Some people also appeared supportive of Smriti Irani, one of them, Prakash Thakur, wrote: ‘Smriti Irani’s opposition to the concept of period leave is based on women being placed in the workplace based on their gender-related biological functions. But they should not be singled out or treated differently.
‘Instead, she emphasizes the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the wider issue of equality in the workplace.’
A user called Narishman wrote: ‘When you want gender equality then why cry for such paid leave. My mother was a working woman. Worked for almost 40 years, nothing like this ever happened, because women consider it a part of their life.
Pakistani woman giving period leave in her company
Ramsha Maryam is a textile designer in Pakistan. She runs her company ‘Huk’ where most of the women work and she gives three days of period leave to her female employees every month. And the salary of this leave is not deducted.
Speaking to Media, he said that when he started his company, he heard that some companies gave period leave and some did not.
“We built a women-centric company, so we thought we should give paid leave,” she says. We gave work from home first. Then decided to leave. Now employees themselves decide when they want leave. In the first three days or the next three days, they take leave of their own accord. ‘
Ramsha Maryam says that she doesn’t think giving leave to women will cause problems among employees.
He said that the women of his company complete their work themselves before going on leave. They know that they will go on vacation. I don’t think it’s that much of a problem to leave. This leave should be given like maternity leave.
“We are a small business,” she says. We have already started it, we will adjust further.
Ramsha Maryam said that talking about period is still a taboo (forbidden topic). “I don’t think any male colleague would even imagine that a woman would have this problem. Some companies include it in sick leave. I don’t think anyone would even think of supporting this woman.
Ramsha says, “The ability to work decreases during periods. Mine happens too. I think that when she is not able to work, she cannot employ another woman.