New Delhi:A written reply given by Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani in the Rajya Sabha has become a topic of discussion. Actually, the government was asked whether the government is going to bring a rule to give paid leave to women during menstruation or periods? Irani's reply to this was that menstruation is not a 'disability'. No, we are not going to bring any paid policy on this. 

Question in Parliament on paid period leave: Reports say that MP Manoj Kumar Jha had asked a question regarding the menstrual hygiene policy of the country. Last week also, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor had asked a question regarding paid leave in the Lok Sabha. To this Irani had replied that menstruation is not a disability, it is a natural part of any woman's life. We should not suggest issues that take away women's opportunities for equality just because someone who has no understanding of menstruation has a different opinion on it. 

What argument did Smriti Irani give?: Let us tell you that in the Lok Sabha, she had said that the government is not considering any such proposal in which paid wages at the workplace Menstrual leave is being made mandatory. He had said in his written reply to the Rajya Sabha that some women and girls suffer from dysmenorrhea i.e. menstrual cramps i.e. severe pain in the lower abdomen, but this is relieved by medicines. But menstruation is often seen as a social taboo, restricting women's freedom and everyday activities, isolating them, and talking about it in a hushed manner . This behavior becomes more harmful when someone first starts menstruation, then she also has to go through mental and physical changes.

Interestingly, this statement of Smriti Irani came to light when last month in November, the government had released a draft regarding menstrual hygiene policy – ​​DRAFT NATIONAL MENSTRUAL HYGIENE POLICY, 2023 – and there is a slight contradiction here. If you read the draft, the government encourages giving support leave during menstruation. 

Point 4.7.3 titled Policy Integration states that "Including everyone in educational institutions and workplaces, understanding the diverse needs of the workforce, taking care of everyone's productivity and health, flexible working options - such as Provision for work from home and support leave has to be made, so that their special needs can be taken care of during menstruation." It has also been said in this draft that it is necessary to emphasize that such a system should be available to everyone, so that misconceptions about productivity based on menstrual cycle can be stopped. Reports say that after the National Draft, from such statement from the government, it can now be clearly assumed that the government is not going to bring any provision like Paid Periods Leave.

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