C-20 Demystifying Period Leaves
The online Food Delivery company, Zomato created a buzz after declaring Period Leaves in August 2020. What followed was a series of varied reactions wherein everyone jumped in to give their two cents on the issue. I was glad that at least the decision could spark a much-needed conversation around yet another aspect of periods and the workplace. The decision was indeed historic, although it does not include all people who bleed, but specifically women. The decision was battled however on other grounds by prominent women, including Barkha Dutt who stated how she managed to cover critical stories despite her period pain. So should fighting through this blood battle be a badge of valor that women must carry all their lives?
Here are my two cents to demystify myths on #periodleave
Constructs like Strength and Weakness are based on patriarchal guidelines. The biological process of half of the world population cannot be invalidated because the other dominating half doesn’t go through it. The notion that women must overlook their own unique problems in order to create homogeneity with the other dominant gender is extremely patriarchal. And in fact, the very notion of overlooking personal health for work is a capitalist idea we must get rid of soon!
1 in 10 women suffer from PCOS. Many women suffer from the excruciating pain that hinders their daily functioning, while some face psychological distress. Until recently, period pain was considered tantrum women throw to gain attention by many from the medical community. It is now that new researches are being conducted and conversations around periods are widening, and people are learning the different ways in which menstruation impacts people. Thus, Period leaves are a great way to address the concern that affects almost (ideally) half of the workplace population.
The people who feel comfortable working on their periods are allowed to do so. These leaves aren’t mandatory. More companies should take the lead and start granting such period leaves. Granting period leaves are a larger statement in themselves. The statement reads, that a healthy workplace stands tall on the foundation of acceptance.
It’s high time corporates develop a humane side. Feminism doesn’t mean ignoring individual differences for the sake of equality. It means acknowledging and accepting the differences to strive for equality.
