Period leave shouldn't really exist. Here's why

Let's not make period leave become another excuse for the society to bring women down?

OddNaari OddNaari
जुलाई 20, 2017
Yes periods hurt, but then so does discrimination on the basis of your biology. Photo Courtesy: Facebook/MansiBhatia

 

Ever since a few companies in India announced that they would offer a leave to women who are on the first day of their period, we have been having mixed emotions. You see as much as we at OddNaari hate the monthly visit of Aunt Flo and want to curl up in bed, we can't help but think if period leave is actually necessary.

No, we are not anti-feminists--as you might be inclined to label us. Neither are we indifferent to the pain and discomfort of our fellow sisters. We totally understand how debilitating period cramps are. So, before you start judging us, hear us out.

Nature Is Against Us Women Anyway, Why Give Men Another Reason To Bring Us Down?

You can't deny the fact that Mother Nature really doesn't like us. We mean, starting from menstruation to childbirth--nothing is easy for a woman. And we all know how periods are the most misunderstood bodily process. After all, men are not only unaware of what it is, they also think that the blood is impure.

The thing is, when there are so many misconceptions about menstruation already, why give men another reason to bring us down. We mean, for them period leave will be another reason to isolate us.

It Paints Womanhood As A Disability

Periods are anyway used as an excuse by men to label women unproductive. Don't you think that if period leave is actually made compulsory in every organization, it would perpetuate this idea further?

Imagine how the conversations between men would go, "Don't give that project to XYZ right now, she is on her period leave."

It Might Make Companies Employ Fewer Women

Remember when our Government amended the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act? For those uninitiated, let us tell you what it was about. Recently, the Parliament of India passed a bill that allowed a compulsory leave of 26 weeks for all working women. Although it was indeed a welcome move, it started a whole debate about how it would affect the employment of women.

After all, companies would definitely crib about how their productivity suffered due to absence of their employees from the workforce. It may seem outrageous to you, but it is the truth. In fact, there is a study to prove it! Now imagine how many companies would crib if period leave actually became mandatory. Because let's be honest, there can many women who might have their period on the same day.

Not Every Woman Has Painful Periods

Not every woman is rendered immobile by their period. Photo: Shutterstock/IndiaPictures Not every woman is rendered immobile by their period. Photo: Shutterstock/IndiaPictures

No period is alike. Some women have it bad, while others just sail through pretty smoothly. After all, all bodies are different in the way they function. So, tell us how is giving every woman the same amount of period leave actually justified? Instead, it should actually be the women's decision whether they choose to take a day off or not. All we're saying is that it shouldn't be mandatory. 

Women Are Stronger Than They Appear And They Can Soldier Through Just About Everything

No matter what you say, you can't deny the fact that women are actually much stronger than they're made out to be. Just imagine all that a woman endures in her life time--childbirth, breastfeeding, menopause... not to mention the additional baggage of patriarchy, gender discrimination, and sexism.

We're not saying that you should come to the office even when you are dying. All we're saying is that there should be other options available. It can be working from home, having bunker rooms in office, or even the option of taking a half day if needed.

See, as women who have painful periods, we do understand the trouble women go through during the first day of menstruation. We understand all the thoughts that cross your mind when you start your period during office hours. We also sympathize with the difficulty you face while commuting. However, maybe it's time we fought back against biological and physiological factors that otherwise show that we are weak--because we are not. No, sire.

If we are talking about equality, maybe this is a chance for us to prove that we are not only highly productive, but also that we are equal to men--period or no period!

Also Read: 6 thoughts that come to my mind when I am in office on the first day of my period

 

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