In response to a question related to whether leave should be given during menstruation or not, Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said that there is no need for it. The Union Minister said that she considers menstruation as a natural part of a woman’s life, it is not a disability. In this way, she indicated that there is no need for any policy to give leave to women during menstruation.
Smriti Irani said, “Being a woman who menstruates, I can say that menstruation and its cycle is not a disability. It is a natural part of a woman’s life journey. Since women today are looking for more and more economic opportunities, I would like to give my personal opinion on this.”
RJD MP Jha said that in the early 1990s, Bihar became the first state to grant leave during menstruation. After that, Kerala also followed the same path. The RJD MP asked the minister what has been done regarding giving mandatory paid leave to women during menstruation.
In response to this, Irani told the Rajya Sabha that menstruation is a natural process. Only a few women have to face complications during those days. In most cases, there is generally no significant problem.
Supporting Irani’s remark, BJP leader Priti Gandhi wrote on X, “WCD Minister @smritiirani sums it up perfectly – “Menstruation is not a handicap!” Menstrual leave demand by pseudo-feminists will infact put females at a disadvantage as compared to a males. As a woman, I personally don’t expect any special treatment. Gender equality, please!”
WCD Minister @smritiirani sums it up perfectly – "Menstruation is not a handicap!"
Menstrual leave demand by pseudo-feminists will infact put females at a disadvantage as compared to a males.
As a woman, I personally don't expect any special treatment. Gender equality, please! pic.twitter.com/14NYcwZFMs
— Priti Gandhi (@MrsGandhi) December 14, 2023
Another X user Rishi Bagree, who is known for his pro Modi government thoughts on internet, wrote: “This is a perfect way to call off bluff by pseudo feminists. Menstrual leave will put female employees in a great disadvantage via a vis a male employee in the recruitment process. Good to see WCD minister @smritiirani taking a pragmatic and practical view on this matter.”
This is a perfect way to call off bluff by pseudo feminists.
Menstrual leave will put female employees in a great disadvantage via a vis a male employee in the recruitment process.
Good to see WCD minister @smritiirani taking a pragmatic and practical view on this matter pic.twitter.com/Bsy6pLE8Yl
— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) December 14, 2023
Last week, in response to a question by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Irani had said that no proposal is being considered to give compulsorily paid menstrual leave to women.
In fact, there has been a demand for a long time that women should be given mandatory leave during menstruation. However, this idea is also opposed, saying that it will make employers reluctant to hire women and mandatory leave will go against the interests of women.
