BRS leader K Kavitha reacts to Smriti Irani’s take on paid period leave
Irani signalled that menstrual leave could lead to discrimination against women in the workforce
Updated: Dec 16th, 2023
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| Image: IANS |
The moral debate regarding menstrual paid leave for female employees sparked in the ongoing winter session between MP Manoj Kumar Jha and union women and child development minister Smriti Irani.
Voicing her idea on menstrual leaves, she opposed the concept of mandatory paid menstrual leave for female employees.
Smriti Irani on menstrual leave
On Dec 13, responding to a question raised by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Kumar Jha, Irani said, “As a menstruating woman, menstruation and the menstruation cycle is not a handicap; it’s a natural part of a woman’s life journey.”
She went on to say, “We should not propose issues that in some way deny an equal opportunity, just because someone who does not menstruate has a particular viewpoint towards menstruation.”
Irani signalled that menstrual leave could lead to discrimination against women in the workforce.
Irani had voiced her opinions after Jha cited the example of Bihar and Kerala where a menstrual leave policy was first implemented. He then went on to question if the current government had taken any measures for making compulsory provisions for employers to grant a certain number of leaves to female employees.
On Dec 8, in response to a query from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Irani, in her written reply, said, “At present, there is no proposal under consideration of the government to make provision for paid menstrual leave mandatory for all workplaces.”
However, as per a recent draft of National Menstrual Hygiene Policy, 2023 released by the ministry of health and family welfare, there were provisions for leave during menstruation.
The draft read, “Educational institutions and workplaces should 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.”
'Menstruation a biological reality': K Kavitha
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha on Dec 15 found fault with Irani over her statement that menstruation does not call for specific policy for granting paid leave.
Kavitha said that she is disheartened by Irani’s dismissal of menstrual struggles in Rajya Sabha.
“Menstruation isn't a choice; it's a biological reality. Denying paid leave ignores the genuine pain countless women endure," she said while responding to Irani’s comment that she sees menstruation as a natural part of a woman’s journey and not a handicap.”
“As a woman, it's appalling to see such ignorance, for our struggles, our journeys isn’t a consolation, it deserves a level playing field and that’s a non-negotiable.”
“As a woman, it's disconcerting to see a lack of empathy for the genuine challenges women face and the fight we have to put up for everything. It’s high time to indeed bridge the gap between policy-making and reality with empathy and reason,” she added.
