Minister of Woman and Child Development Smriti Irani has made another bizarre statement on paid menstrual leave. Defending her claim that women should not get paid menstrual leave, Irani said that why should employers know about women's menstrual cycle? On Thursday, Irani made this statement in an interview with ANI, adding that she doesn't want women to face discrimination in the workplace because of their periods.
This discourse comes in response to the ongoing discussions about implementing a policy of mandatory paid leave for female employees during their menstrual periods.
Clarification on the Term 'Handicap'
During the interview, Smriti Irani clarified her use of the term 'handicap' in the context of menstruation. She emphasized that the term was used to denote an impediment rather than a disability. Irani claimed to highlight the natural aspect of menstruation, asserting that it is an integral part of women's life journey and should not be perceived as a hindrance to equal opportunities.
"We should not propose issues where women are denied equal opportunities just because somebody who does not menstruate has a particular viewpoint towards menstruation," she said.
Addressing Potential Harassment Issues
Since then,
Irani has faced a lot of criticism. But that didn't change her viewpoint.
One notable point made by Irani was the potential harassment women might face if mandatory period leaves were implemented. She highlighted the scenario of a single woman choosing not to take the proposed leaves and the implications of having to report her menstrual cycle to HR and accounts departments.
She once again asserted her claim by
saying, "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, you accounts guy has to know...why should a women's menstrual cycle be known to the employer."
Complexities of Implementation
She addressed criticism against her previous statement as well. To the critics who argued that some women have severe pain, Irani said that such women need to see doctors immediately because they are facing a
hormonal imbalance or a genetic condition. She said, "If you look at 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."
Irani further remarked that if a single woman doesn't want to take the leave, she would be subjected to immense harassment. "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 against women."
However, she also noted that leave for
menstruation is part of the law, but it is mentioned as sick leave. "Under the Occupational Safety and Health Standard Rules of 2020, a medical leave is already provided for," she said.
Menstrual Leave for LGBTQIA+
Addressing the question of MP Manoj Kumar Jha whether the menstrual leave policy will cover the LGBTQ+ community, Irani said, "Which gay men have a menstrual cycle?...Why would you ask me a question about providing menstrual hygiene for gay men?" She questioned the relevance of such a policy for LGBTQIA+ individuals, especially for gay men who do not have a uterus.
Controversy and Backlash
Not surprisingly, Irani's comments generated controversy, with Telangana leader K. Kavitha expressing dismay over what she perceived as the minister's ignorance. Irani, acknowledging the controversy, defended her choice of words by stating that the intention was to provoke and draw attention. The ensuing discussions brought to light the need for careful language use and consideration of diverse perspectives in policy discussions.
Smriti Irani's stance on mandatory period leave underlines the complexity of the debate and prompts further reflection on how to balance the needs of women in the workforce with the practicalities of policy implementation.
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