Ranjeeta Priyadarshini, an Odisha-based social activist, has been leading the charge on paid menstrual leave for women at work in India and worldwide.
Priyadarshini spoke about women’s rights and the need for paid menstrual leave during the ‘Summit of the Future’ event at the 79th UNGA in New York.
This is not the first time the social activist has spoken at such a grand stage in front of world leaders. She raised her voice at the United Nations Civil Society Conference 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya.
She stressed why a day or two of women’s menstrual leave should be paid leave. She feels that once it’s paid, a woman will be able to take leave; otherwise, no woman will ever want to take leave, thinking that her salary will be deducted.
“I am very grateful that today I have been able to attend the UN conference for the second time, and my main issue is paid period leave. Paid period leave means that all working women should get 1-2 days leave during their periods, and it should be paid; only then will they be able to take leave; otherwise, no woman will ever want to take leave thinking that her salary will be deducted,” she said while speaking to ANI.
Priyadarshini confesses that her efforts for paid period leaves came from her experience when she was also working and requested leave due to her cramps. However, she faced humiliation from her manager, after which she resigned.
The government of Priyadarshini’s own state, Odisha, implemented the paid period leave initiative last month. Apart from Odisha, Bihar and Kerala are the other Indian states that have implemented menstrual leave policies. Bihar introduced its policy in 1992, allowing women two days of paid menstrual leave each month. In 2023, Kerala extended menstrual leave to female students in all universities and institutions.
Meanwhile, Karnataka is nearing the finalisation of a policy that provides women with six days of paid menstrual leave each year. An 18-member committee, chaired by a law professor from Christ University, has submitted its findings to the Karnataka Labour Minister.
Priyadarshini acknowledged the Karnataka government’s announcement but requested the leaves be increased to increase the leaves by 12 days.
“I requested more than 40 prime ministers, presidents, and ministers of the country to implement paid leave in their countries, too. I am also happy that the Karnataka government has announced the paid period leaves for six days, but I would request that they increase the number of leaves by 12 days,” she added.
(With ANI inputs)
