Menstruation Benefits Bill

What is the issue?

Menstruation Benefits Bill was tabled as a private member bill in the Parliament earlier in the year.
It is imperative to look at the significance of the provisions, for a gender sensitive labour policy.

What is the bill on?

It seeks to provide working women two days of paid menstrual leave every month.
It applies to women working in both public and private sectors.
The Bill also seeks to provide better facilities for rest at the workplace during menstruation.
It includes providing women the flexibility to take time off, and with options like working from home.
The benefits are also extended to female students of Class VIII and above in government recognised schools.

Is this a new idea?

Paid menstrual leave has been in practice since long time back.
Bihar has had special leave for women for two days since 1992.
Although, it is not explicitly referred to as the menstruation leave.
Women can decide which two days of the month they would like to take off.
Also, they do not have to provide any justification for doing so.
In the recent past, some private companies in India have started offering menstrual leave.
Several countries such as Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, etc also have menstrual leave provisions.

What are the concerns with it?

It would prejudice employers against hiring women and lead to their alienation at work.
Most women are capable of functioning at full capacity even during their periods.
So, for the handful of women who do suffer unbearable symptoms, the existing sick leave option is adequate.
Menstrual leave policies might discriminate against men.
This is because women would get additional days off every year.
However, the counter arguments are largely a reflection of continuing age old gender biases.

Why is menstrual leave significant?

Menstruation is a perfectly natural biological process, not a disease or a disability.
However, it can range from a slightly discomforting to a severely debilitating experience for women.
Nearly 20% of women suffer from uncomfortable symptoms.
These may include cramps, nausea, fever and weakness during their periods.
These are debilitating enough to hamper their daily activities.
Some women also experience reduced emotional control and decreased concentration.
Over 25 million women suffer from endometriosis.
This is a chronic condition in which period pain is so bad that women nearly pass out from it.

What is the way forward?

The Bill takes gender equity discourse forward in a constructive and balanced manner.
Implementation - Policy formulation would be meaningful only if backed by enforcement measures.
Evidently, women are continued to be laid off for demanding maternity entitlements.
Participation - Menstrual leave policies must be introduced alongside measures to increase workforce participation of women.
Worryingly, the female workforce participation rate in the country has declined from 36% in 2005-06 to 24% in 2015-16.
Measures aimed at reversing this decline are crucial.
Workplace - Efforts at making workplaces more inclusive and gender sensitive is essential.
Separate toilets for men and women with facilities for disposal of sanitary napkins should be ensured.
The Parliament should take up the Bill on menstrual leave and hold a discussion on it soon.

Source: BusinessLine