'Menstruation is not a hindrance, hence no need for paid leave policy', says Smriti Irani

Union Women and Child Development (WCD) Smriti Irani has said that menstruation is not a 'handicap' and hence there is no need for a 'paid leave policy'.

Last week, Smriti Irani, while replying to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, had said in the Lok Sabha that no proposal to make paid menstrual leave mandatory for all workplaces is under consideration of the government.

Smriti Irani was answering a question asked by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) member Manoj Kumar Jha in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday on menstrual hygiene policy.

Smriti Irani said, "As a menstruating woman, menstruation and the menstrual cycle are not a hindrance, it is a natural part of women's life journey. We should not propose issues where women are denied equal opportunities."

In a written reply submitted in the Upper House on Wednesday, Smriti Irani said that "a small section of women/girls suffer from severe dysmenorrhea or similar complaints; and most of these cases are manageable with the use of medicines.

She said that the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had prepared a draft menstrual hygiene policy in consultation with stakeholders. She told the House that the Center is already implementing a scheme to promote menstrual hygiene among girls in the age group of 10-19.

The scheme is supported by the National Health Mission through the State Program Implementation Plan route based on proposals received from States or Union Territories. Smriti Irani said that one of the main objectives of this scheme is to increase awareness on menstrual hygiene.

Smriti Irani said that the Health Ministry has prepared the draft menstrual hygiene policy in consultation with stakeholders. Irani also highlighted other initiatives taken by various ministries to promote menstrual hygiene.

Smriti Irani said that raising awareness about menstrual hygiene is a key area of focus under the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' component of Mission Shakti implemented by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development for the safety and empowerment of women.