Women techies discuss need for menstrual leave

A ‘one-day menstrual leave’ which has been initiated by few companies across the country (including a Kerala-based company only last week) would be a boon to many women like Nitya, say activists, who reiterate the need to consider biological needs of the gender.

While it is not necessary for all women, owing to the difference in every individual’s hormones, there are some who desperately need a day’s rest each month. “If you are perfectly fine on the first day of your periods, you might as well work. However, if you are one of those women who desperately need rest and care on that day, you should be able to avail that leave. After all, it is something biological and nothing to be embarrassed about,” says Jayanthi P, an HR at a software company.

“Most women today suffer from immense pain each month. I see many young women each week who come to me desperately seeking a solution for that pain,” says a gynaecologist from a government hospital.

With many women finding it difficult to talk about their periods, they avoid seeking leave. However, activist Divya David says, “All it would require is a mail or a message to the HR. The idea retracts years and years of fatal inhibition and ignorance by men and society that fail to recognise the severe pain.” However, some feel that taking up such an initiative will not be easy. “While this will definitely be of help to women employees, there are several other issues that may arise with such a practice becoming a norm. At a time when people do anything to avail leave, how can we be sure that the woman taking off really needs it or not?” wonders Swaminathan, an HR professional.