Irani said, “As a menstruating woman, I can say that menstruation and the menstrual cycle is not a handicap, it’s a natural part of women’s life journey. (File Image: News18)
In response to MP Manoj Kumar Jha’s question, the Union Minister said that menstrual cycle is ‘not a handicap’ and that there should be no proposal where women in some way are denied of an equal opportunity
Union Minister and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani opposed the idea of mandatory paid menstrual leave for female employees at the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
MP Manoj Kumar Jha raised a question in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday regarding compulsory provisions for employers to grant certain days of paid leaves to menstruating female employees.
In response to his question, the Union Minister said that menstrual cycle is ‘not a handicap’ and that there should be no proposal where women in some way are denied of an equal opportunity.
Irani further said, “As a menstruating woman, I can say that menstruation and the menstrual cycle is not a handicap, it’s a natural part of women’s life journey.”
“We should not propose issues where women are denied equal opportunities just because somebody who does not menstruate has a particular viewpoint towards menstruation,” she added.
However, Irani also informed the Rajya Sabha that Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has formulated a draft menstrual hygiene policy in consultation with stakeholders.
She further said that the Centre already implements a scheme for the promotion of menstrual hygiene among girls in the 10-19 age group.
The scheme is supported by the National Health Mission through the State Programme Implementation Plan route, based on the proposals received from the states or Union Territories. One of the major objectives of the scheme is to increase awareness on menstrual hygiene, Irani added.
She also highlighted the other initiatives taken by the various ministries for the promotion of menstrual hygiene.
Under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao component of Mission Shakti — an umbrella scheme for safety, security and empowerment of women implemented by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development — raising awareness about menstrual hygiene is one of the key areas, she added.
(with PTI inputs)
