The Problem with Menstrual Leave Policy | Vantage with Palki Sharma

[@MahiMahi-yu5jo]

Let's not give mandatory menstrual leave. Instead, give the choice of a menstrual leave. Some women can work and will. Some women suffer through severe pain and require leave. Making it mandatory simple divides the task force

[@suryanshkr.8373]

I agree

[@comrade_marshal]

Most importantly, companies will see them as liabilities. We get kicked in balls and yet resume work within a minute 😂

[@curioussoul5747]

And no-one will hire you. Already women with kids are seen as liability now women in general will be seen as a liability. Yes thse sort of measures can work in govt. Jobs but pvt companies won't hire us. Already in govt. Services as well women are stereotyped for being lazy ( even my dad used to say that) . Now that am working i realised y thse sort of thngs are said abt women its mostly coz women back in those days had to juggle btwn work and kids and literally men wouldn't lift a finger around the house so they used to slack off but tat was only possible coz tat was a govt. Office. In our generation also thngs have not changed much (its a lot better i admit bt not ideal) it will be more of disadvantage here coz pvt companies won't hire us and if made mandatory then they will shut down offices in india.

[@rasingh6893]

I thought you wanted equality.... Why you should be given salary for 30 days if you are working only 26 days

[@curioussoul5747]

@@rasingh6893 tats y unpaid leave is a better alternative

[@ambalikapatra9538]

That's why I like Palki madam's reports. She talked about it with all consequences and all perspectives. In Country like India where Women are still fighting against discrimination, old periods superstitions and so many, where women are considered as weaker than men, struggling for education & job opportunities, This policy will make this situations worse and will make women's fight more difficult.... Bcz Employer will hesitate to hire a woman with so many paid leaves. Employer has option of hiring man with less paid leaves in the same salary package. And no one can force any company to hire someone. It's their company and their choice. Instead of it You can ask for having an option like work from home or unpaid leaves or something like that which won't affect women's job opportunities and equality. Smriti Irani ma'am is a woman with experience. As a minister, before allowing any policy related to woman and children, she has to think about all the consequences, +ve & -ve sides of the policy, which she did & opposed the policy..

[@tusharkhanger8558]

You put it right but india is the only country in the world in which there are the highest number of women in technology medical and science. So stop putting like u are being deprived girls have free education and other things also.

[@ambalikapatra9538]

@@tusharkhanger8558 You are comparing highest populated country with less populated country.. Compare this number with our population. Still % has not reached the point that we can say India has highest female literacy rate or number of literate female is equal to male, not less. In almost every field you will find number of female is less than male.. in 2023 India has 77% literacy rate, 70% female literacy rate and 84% male literacy rate.. Everyone ( male nd female ) has free education facility. But responsibility of daughter's education is on her parents. And How many families ( especially in village and tier 3 & 4) perfer daughter's education, especially when they have son?? Few days ago I saw a news where a newborn baby girl was abandoned by her parents... If girls r not struggling for education, then Why is the govt still promoting "Beti bachao, Beti padhao" campaign?? Everyone has facility[job, education(edit)], but not opportunity.. That's why India has high unemployment rate, there r so many baggers...

[@tusharkhanger8558]

@@ambalikapatra9538 beti bachao beti padhao and other things in campaign are political just for votes. Just like casteism for vote and religion for vote. Indian companies have women reservation for some percentage quota in the cutoff in every test. What discrimination you are talking about. I respect our Bhartiya Naari very much because they are not like other countries women who are so much liberated u know europe and usa having gender wars. Only women Police in India are allowed to persecute women no male allowed. There are so many opportunities left for women no one is stopping them. What can i do if they don't choose it. In our culture there were brave women like lakshmibai, padmavat, . We even believe in equal participation in gods I.e Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma = Laksmi, Saraswati, Parvati. The discrimination exist in the family as u said and if these families combined it becomes a society. I don't consider these families as true for our culture if you go to temples women godess are without top clothes like male that shows how much freedom we had. But u know so much islamic nation invade corrupted our culture but it is healing very fast. Northern India has more discrimination against women due to 500 years of islamic rule. It became a norm to hide face with saree and girls not roaming outside. If you go to south it is not very much. I don't think you should become aggressive about it. Things take 600 years of blunder and cannot be repaired in 75 years. Modi ji is promoting women empowerment very much to equate the genders views and their duty.

[@ambalikapatra9538]

@@tusharkhanger8558 Lagta hai policy ki baat sunke women pe jitna affect nahi pada, usse zyada aape affect pad gaya. Bro u need treatment.. The whole topic is about human(especially Indian women), not about God, Goddess, any religion, any culture & any other nation... BTW it seems like for u that society lives outside India and Indian govt & those family do care abt ur consideration and opinions abt those families (whether you consider them as a part of our culture or not).....

[@tusharkhanger8558]

@@ambalikapatra9538 you couldn't understand what i wanted to say.😅 You should be more open minded before saying i need treatment.

[@ishikamishra422]

Yes ,absolutely right ,this policy have more disadvantages and less benefits ,it could be the reason for getting less salary per month as compare to men and because of this reason many people can use their trick for not keeping women as worker ,hence it spread unemployment for women .

[@rucha3385]

When do women get equal salary? Corporates already hide their pay range. So it bid of getting money we destroy our bodies ?

[@ambalikapatra9538]

Agreed 💯... in my opinion they should have an option of work from home or unpaid leaves or something like that.. During periods homemakers also stay at home and do their home chores without complaining...😔

[@Snowflake..]

Tu kasam kha le fir ki tu admi nhi paida karegi jisne teri aisi halat kar di ki tujhe itna dar lag rha is samaj mei rehna bhi doobhar ho gya. Dheri mat laga lena bachche paida karke. Bas tu ladki bhi mat karna wo bhi dar mei jiyegi. To in summary koi bachcha mat kar lena sirf apni selfishness ke chalte. Nhi to kya pat usko endometriosis hua to bechari bachchi ko duniya jine hi nhi degi. Tu kaisi ma hogi agar apni bachchi ko is sansar mei janm de diya apna jivan jante huye is duniya ko jante huye. Aur admi paida karegi to bhi dekh le. Fir wo waise hi policies banayega aur sansar bhi jo uske liye bana ho ek aurat ke liye nhi. Bhot badi chain of events hai.

[@DrAkashraj]

Exactly, girls never accept any undue privilege, it would take back the equality debate a hundred years.

[@prakriti6105]

Yep

[@amitkumarnayaka]

Women experience periods in different ways one another.

[@kandisphere8828]

I'm a woman and I would not want the leave during periods to be mandatory. This will make us women get denied job opportunities, or preventing us to get promotion at work. An employee can take the period leave only when they wish.

[@anishmaitra5934]

@@arinael we all have to learn a lot from her about work ethics.

[@Snowflake..]

To tu mat le leave. To discrimination pe laws banao.

[@Snowflake..]

Tujhe kisne kaha tha admiyon ka samaj bana le kood kood ladka bhaya team. Aur kar le admi paida. Ab bheekh mango apne liye aur yahi karti firo tum aurtein. Andhi behri khopdi se khali aurtein. Ab to daya bhi nhi ati in gadhon ke gadhepan se

[@Snowflake..]

Bhak paglait. Apne dar ko age rakh rhi. Bas darti reh aise hi darti rehna zindhi bhar. Yahi kar sakti hai aisi aurtein.

[@neshwhat702]

Exactly

[@amanjha8303]

Thank you ma'am for this. This is the first video in which I have seen someone talk sense. Most people are just going about how can a woman say this. herself! Even if a company has 100 female workers giving them 12 days of period leaves means a loss of 9600 hours atleast!! For a country like India where we are still to achieve an equal workforce this would push the fight back by atleast 10-20 years not to mention the hate which would come from the male colleagues. I have worked for companies which allow woman to take menstrual leaves and have seen a clear divide between the male and female colleagues. It is also worth not forgetting that I have seen some of my female colleagues use this as an EXCUSE to get A HOLIDAY which increases the divide even further!

[@annamalaian0711]

Increase the permitted leaves, like casual leaves, so that it can be taken by all without any differences

[@sansitadewani278]

We already know from studies that many employers abstain from hiring female employees because they are concerned about maternity leave. Iceland understood this issue and made paid paternity leave of the same duration compulsory as well to avoid discrimination when hiring, giving opportunities, and promotion schemes. India is still a developing nation where women are largely discriminated against in the workplace due to familial obligations, societal expectations, marital and maternal responsibilities, and various other reasons. Compulsory menstrual leaves will just give employers another reason to discriminate against women at work. Even though, it comes with its benefits like providing adequate rest etc to women, the negative externality created by this policy might actually be greater than the benefit to women.

[@kusumkumawat7168]

Atleast in government sector we can give paid leave 💁‍♀️

[@Abingdontortoise]

Yes mam u are absolutely right 👍..in a country like India where martial rape is seen as nothing , where rapist are detained after several months asking for menstrual leave will give the men in power another nice excuse to avoid hiring female employees..it's sad but true

[@peak_911]

yup

[@DrAkashraj]

Exactly, it's a trap women must not accept!

[@raj180380]

The idea of equal paternity leave came to my mind when indian govt increased the maternity leave from 3 to 6 months. Since that time I have been discussing with people to get their opinion on this idea and everytime I see people finding this solution to be too redical. Indians are very slow at understanding the effects of policies and implementing effective solutions.

[@Philosopher420]

The reason why I like Palki ma'am's analysis. Unbiased and powerful.

[@rajeswarikannan430]

I think just giving a leave for normal periods is not needed, but for conditions like Endometriosis - very painful and heavy bleeding it's worth giving a leave. For some only first day cramps is very painful. But these still account only for 10% of women. Menopause brings in its own set of complications but thats around 50 years. Common sense should prevail. Even at home, leave is not a leave; you have to cook, clean, and take care of kids, Sometimes, the office is better you get to at least sit for some time.

[@rucha3385]

Would you discuss about endometriosis with your manager? Also if you dont wont you 1 women be identified as ill or unproductive ?? If all women do get leaves they dont have to keep justifying and society will accept basic need. Many diseases like pcod are observed wouldnt it affect the future children bearing capacity of women? Why are we normalizing pain.?

[@deepthinker1710]

i had severe pain even without pcod endometriosis when i was 14 yrs. job is a job its not a school where you can leave after 3pm , thats why leaves are mandatory, its your personal husbands problem if you are still working while on leave ,deal with your husband. we women need at most 2 days per month, whether use it or not use its our choice.

[@playmobilegamescodm]

​@@rucha3385are sick men allowed to get jobs? Sick people are harmful for growth of company. Normal women can work. Period leaves should be called sickness leave so both genders benefits.

[@Snowflake..]

@@rucha3385 isko abhi bhi bachcha paida karna hai. He bhagwan kaha rakhegi usko. Jagah chhodi hai tum logon ne. 😳

[@Snowflake..]

@@deepthinker1710 tumko awaz uthani hogi nhi ti dekh nhi rhi kitni self8ah aurton ne morcha sabhal rakha hai. Main comment section mei comment kiya karo yaha pe kho jate hain. Koi tumhari awaz nhi sunega agar chup rhi. Tumhare jaise na jane kitne log hain jo bas chupchap tamasha dekhte hain. Fir bad mei pachtana padta hai sabko.

[@GeniusAjinkya]

I think it should be optional. Coz if it is mandatory, people might prefer hiring men so that they won't ask for such leaves, and if it is removed, a woman may not be able to go home even when she is under pain. So, make it optional

[@anksssssssss]

There should be provision for unpaid period leave for women , so only those who really need it will take it and they wont be discriminated for getting free money if someone will be having unpaid leave .

[@ambalikapatra9538]

That's the point.. Exactly 💯

[@anksssssssss]

@@ambalikapatra9538 yes , but the mp in parliament was asking for paid period leave , they will be bad for women , as it will discourage people from hiring women.

[@curioussoul5747]

Tats a good suggestion

[@ambalikapatra9538]

@@anksssssssss 💯... the company should have an option like having work from home or unpaid leaves... Women already have a legal right of having paid leaves ( Maternity paid leaves). If again this paid leaves policy become mandatory, company will automatically hesitate to appoint a woman with so many paid leaves. Bcz it will automatically affect company's income. And which company wants to face loss?? Company wants work from employee. They will easily appoint a man who will work with less paid leaves in same salary package.. In India where unemployment rate is so high, appointing a man employee is not a difficult job for a company.. Result will only affect Women.. less job opportunity.. Am I right?? Smriti Irani ma'am is a woman with experience. As a minister before allowing any policy related to woman and children, she have to think abt all the consequences, which she did and opposed. I'm with her 💯...

[@purnimavenugopal7091]

If women get unpaid menstrual leave, she would still take a day's leave. Atleast she will be spared the harsh behavior of employers!

[@bts_1999_jiminpark]

Another volcanic statement: "Severe cramps as painful as heartattack" 🔥 palki sharma.

[@himankitadebbarma5019]

Instead of mandatory menstrual leave, they could give WFH opportunities to women while menstruating so that they could work comfortably

[@vidyasubramanian9167]

Instead of providing menstrual leave, government should provide clean toilets, sanitary napkins, painkillers, hot water bags, place to take short rests in schools, colleges and workplaces.

[@prrashantmehta583]

What I have herd about the “Period” pain is different female have different problem. Some even don’t have. So, I think rather than make it policy and compulsion for all women, it should be voluntary but paid leave. So, this will create positive image of equality.

[@ra33661]

If they don't make it mandatory then the boss won't let you take leave even if your are genuinely suffering..nothing happens in this country unless it's mandatory

[@DA6SH]

@@ra33661 well that's really subjective though

[@turdians]

Is period a medical illness? Why paid leave, then, if not?

[@swati_biswasofficial7538]

did u skip science classes during your study times?

[@prrashantmehta583]

@@swati_biswasofficial7538 Not really. But you seems to be more interested in free holiday.😀

[@dheevar]

If a woman has to take leave, it is not at all required that others know the reason for it. As far as career prospects are concerned, the organization needs to set strict policies if she is denied promotion or the kind of projects assigned to her.

[@shivanitiwari6622]

I completely understand your point. And I can see there is no gender bias in your opinion. Instead of starting a debate, I would like to share my experience. I'm one of those women, who get extreme cramps on first and second day. Mostly, at least one day will be unbearable. I have contacted doctors as well, they suggest pain killers which isn't something ,we should use every month. So, I usually take medical leave and sleep through it while applying a hot pack. This means I need usually 12 leaves in a year for handling the pain. I have 18 leaves per year sanctioned by my office. This means I only have 6 leaves in a year where I actually get to focus on spending time on personal/Family reasons (that too if I am not getting sick/injured at all in that year) Genuinely, not pulling a woman card but I feel this scenario should be taken into consideration.

[@shivanitiwari6622]

I think 2 days WFH should be given and as period pain comes in waves, 1-2hrs resting time when pain becomes unbearable should be a better and more inclusive option. And Men who feel this is biased, should consider, their wives/sisters and daughters might also face this situation in future. So, lets not make it Men v/s Women topic.

[@ij4674]

​@@shivanitiwari6622 You only talked about your POV. Employer has another POV. why should he hire wmn who takes more leaves than men then?

[@shivanitiwari6622]

@@ij4674 So, women should overlook their biological situations which they have no control over, to make sure that they are treated fairly at work places? Isn't that the whole debate about that women's biological differences should be respected without discrimination at work places?? In this case, I think only option is women should just get the uteruses removed and then they can act like Men to get treated fairly. Also, WFH is not leave, it just eliminates the need to travel, provides the comfort of home and physical rest that women need (not want) at this time.

[@shivanitiwari6622]

@@ij4674 Btw I'm working from home since Covid. And I inform my team (2 women, 3 men) about my situation in case of severe cramps and take rest for 1-2hrs. We have mutual respect for each other. And I am the best performing employee in my project for two years in a row now. So, employee's performance is not dependent on slaving and bearing unfair phyical stress.

[@Bickeringbird19200]

There should at least be provision for a day’s off if not, 3. Periods, generally, aren’t hard except the first 1.5-2days for most women. 1 days’s paid leave a month would no harm. Rest of the days can be made optional and unpaid, specifically for people with dysmenorrhea, endometriosis and hormonal issues. If periods aint disabling then, why do females drop out of middle school in semi-urban and rural areas? Why there exists a gap in female enrolment in primary and middle schools? While, these statistics do not back this claim absolutely but, are indicative of the factors that shaped this practice. Although, there exists a taboo and a cultural practice behind this but, for a lot of women, it is disabling and it also impacts productivity. Least one could expect is to avail is a work from home option on day 1 of period.

[@WojtekTheBear2005]

That 1 day private leave per month equals to 12 days in a year, almost half a month. Employers won't just give half a month's paid leave to a woman just because of a biological need. And they might even discriminate against women in hiring altogether since no employer in their right mind will agree to pay half a months of salary to multiple women. Especially in low-income India, where company employers themselves might necessarily not have a lot of funds on their hands.

[@yashaswinikrishnan1878]

it's actually 2-7 days for most women. and it's debilitating pain even if they don't have pcos or endo

[@NnNn-z1k7o]

Bickering bird ,Your comment is the most sensible one here.

[@Doobedoobedooba]

​@@WojtekTheBear2005 let me just tell you that in most Scandinavian countries, they do get a lot more paid holidays....and If they want women to have babies, they gotta do at least that much. Otherwise, more and more women will opt out because its too much pressure on mental and physical health and work environment is too stressful. Japan is the top most example of what excessive work culture does to a population and economy. Also, it's half the population in India. If half the population is not working....the country will go nowhere.

[@rohanshende4338]

@@Doobedoobedooba And what about the men who will have to unwillingly do double work on the days that women are off? Women will be seen as a liability in the workplace.

[@nareshnandhu5677]

Yes as a women I personally feel this policy is not mandatory, becoz already the women recruitment in jobs lesser compare to male, after her maternity leave rejoining where she worked already, though she was a good performer her pay and recognition gets lesser. If this policy become law women's employment even more worse and also from a women point of view till now menstruation is a natural phenomena of every women if every one spotlighted and familiarize this issue may mentally weakened or influence the women who don't care that much her period until now. there may be a possibility to slowdown women from competition. So women can do anything if she determined. Good luck

[@jesmeebaruah4245]

Totally support your opinions....thankyou for presenting it this way

[@skywalker8940]

This is just a personal view of mine that when I'm working I usually forget how bad the period pain is than being on a leave all alone in my house.

[@Akash-r9b]

country like India where men's safety is seen as nothing, where flase allegations are seen as a joke. Where men dont have grape, domestic viol@nce, harassment law of any kind. Where sections like 498 are commonly misused and the false accuser doesn't face any ramifications. Where boys can be jailed for breaking up with a toxic or cheater gf (Section 69A of BNS, only for women). Where men openly support women victims, take part in marches, but never I've seen a woman speaking for a man victim (Except few).

[@mibitaloh9]

No mensural rituals in Arunachal Pradesh.. n we do not receive pads in poly bags.. feel lucky to have born here ❤

[@gurunaveen2647]

What she is saying is a western view on india though it happens only in few places and even old women ask in separate bags but most of shopkeeper give it easily

[@thehawkseye3412]

If you buy from a medical store they often give it in black pollybag. But if you pick it from some general stores they don't. Some shop keeper may offer one but not all. Shopping malls don't either.

[@mikeybien]

I love working while on menstratiion. My angry hormones is scaring men

[@vishu1334]

And it just distracts the mind from being uncomfortable or stuff

[@TukulParida]

😅

[@upendrabhanu3614]

😂😂

[@swayamsiddhamishra6538]

😂😂😂😂

[@operationbroomstick]

😂 ooooh

[@BS-vx8dg]

Palki ends a concise piece with a clever pun. Well done.

[@Protect_Ecology]

Good Analysis. PS: I, in my younger days, used to buy sanitary pads for my sisters.

[@dctr5534]

I agree in the last line Palki delivered

[@bhavyajoshii]

I used to save my once a month sick leave for my periods. Even when I had terrible fever or anything I went to work just because I know something much worse will happen to me. I think everyone, men and women, should have 1 or 2 sick leaves a month. I think more importantly what I would like is not to be seen as weak and fragile. Actually my female coworkers made me feel like that just because they don't have bad period cramps. And kept saying don't take medicine. So I shouldn't take medicine and shouldn't take leave? That's just inhuman. I feel more than anyone women should understand and support other women. Interestingly my male friends have always been more compassionate and have always helped me.

[@prakashnagraj2449]

Take leave and compensate during weekends.

[@explorer649]

women like you should stay at home as a housewife, then for 365 days you don't need to go for work

[@thehawkseye3412]

Ignore the people who say don't take medicine. Also you can try for some Ginger and fennel kadha or tea for relief from cramps. And keep some hot drinking water with you if you cannot get it at office. It doesn't always work to cure pain altogether, but still helps in some relief. Also you should try to add banana and vitamin b6 etc to your diet beforehand. Take light food etc to avoid bloating or lessen the "gas" issue. Which makes the cramps worse. These things help some people is lessening the severity.

[@carolinamoreno7372]

Great reporting, Palki! I agree with every word you uttered! The most important thing is that all Indian women have access to all they need in health care! I admire Smriti Irani. She tells it like it is and also like it should be!

[@rucha3385]

I am a women and i want period leaves or sick leaves. If men have problem with this you can start building ur own uterus or maybe ask ur wives/females about growing numbers of pcod or ask her to work till ened of her pregnancy or ask her what happens when you dint take care of yourself in periods and does that effect child birth.

[@anksssssssss]

​@@rucha3385 none will hire a person to give free salary instead of a man who get salary for work . If u can't go to office , better get a job that u can work while staying at home . Or as u r too proud of ur victim hood and uterus , u can just use ur uterus and have kids and be a home maker .

[@ij4674]

​@@rucha3385 Ambani only cares about Nita Ambhani and his daughter, not his female employees. It will be huge loss to him if he allows this, even if it is unpaid.

[@sanvimohanty2751]

@rucha3385 But isn't one supposed to seek treatment for pcod/pcos and endometriosis. Rather than asking for paid leaves which would hardly be beneficial for anyone, we should ask for inclusivity in medical researches so that proper and effective methods and treatments can be devised to help those suffering from extreme amount of period pains and other menstrual problem. Why let periods act as a handicap and stop us from working?Asking for period leaves will reiterate the notion that women are biologically inferior and not fit for working and should stay at home. This will harm women only. So we should really work towards more medical researches on female body to help us with the problems being faced.

[@priyasophi]

More than paid leaves, government should make it mandatory to provide clean And hygienic washrooms for women in schools and workplaces. And free pads quota to students/workers who can't afford buying pads. That would make a huge difference. These are the real challenges students/employees face. I understand all women feel discomfort and some feel much pain but I believe what discourages girl students to dropout is not pain but lack of resources (clean washrooms, pads etc )

[@adityasah3137]

A very comprehensive coverage of the topic, ma'am! Thank you for this.✨️

[@artsyalkalearnandgrowbeaut3731]

I take one day leave personally during menstruation when pain is in-tolerating. Though as a student I felt unfair when I had to give exam and I was in crazy pain. During puberty, periods are painful.

[@friendlyneighborhoodhuman]

If periods are not meant to be painful.. If they are painful and interfering with your work, that indicates a health problem, you should go to hospital.

[@Divinefrequencies555]

​@@friendlyneighborhoodhumanbut doctors themselves say that it is functional pain, the pain is normal. And one should really take good care on the day of their purging. Also not just in puberty, but many women in later ages also deal with painful and stressfull period days.

[@Divinefrequencies555]

​@@friendlyneighborhoodhuman the worst we are doing is taking pills to numb the pain and it does worse to ones health, one should drink as much water and they might have to go the bathroom constantly which is healthy to relieve the system, that means it requires days of taking a lot of rest and best care of oneself. This rush life is taking us nowhere.

[@prakriti6105]

Already, traditionally men are seen as the workforce. Today, in most parts of india this perception still persists. In such a situation, if women have leaves, the employer would rather prefer not to employ women or give them less base salary in the pretext of period leaves, even if they dont take it. Even if they do employ they will make them work extra hard the other days. Already it is not new for women to work longer and get paid less. If this is implemented, situation will definitely get worse.

[@Squirrelpupstories]

Yes it is important for teenager girls because they do not know what to do in early periods .It takes time to understand this physically and mentally..In my childhood I faced many problems like forget period date,rashes and so many..also It is very difficult to spend 6-7 hours in school. ..

[@rohanshende4338]

False. As a boy I know this is untrue.

[@mymoons5581]

I don't get period cramps now but i used have severe period cramps and its not for just one day it use too pain more than 2 or 3 days. In those times death seams easier option to me. I used to take painkiller to ease my pain but one time when i took painkiller to get relief from pain it turn out bad,that time after taking painkiller i felted like my whole body is shivering and i am going too die ,so after that I'd stopped taking painkiller. Thank god now it doesn't pain that bad. For a long time i stopped taking painkiller but this month i took it because of pain.

[@comrade_marshal]

Instead of making a compulsory leave, keep it optional. Women can be asked to show a valid medical presciption declaring pain or severe cramps and avail leave. If compulsory leave is granted then offices will consider women as liabilities and they will be back to square one

[@endisnear306]

I need atleast 1-2 days off when i menstruate.. Though i do not get heavy cramps but i feel feverish and tired for 1.5 days.

[@ardentthinker4336]

India still has a long way to go to overcome the taboo around the period. There will be two types of females when such a leave policy gets established - one who will be reluctant to inform that type of leave to their boss and the next who will inform and take advantage of it , given that people will not ask much follow up questions. My point would be to add 6 leaves per year to every female employee in your organisation. Let them avail it as per their convenience. And have strict carry forward and lapsing policies for such leaves defined.

[@nidhithakur2949]

Wow ! The finishing line is just amazing. And Yeah! The scheme will only stigmatise the situation rather than providing any relief. Let it leave to individual needs.

[@9cupsofwater]

Women will always remain who they are: Empowered. Menstrual leave is not a step back, but a step forward. A powerful, indispensable employee now getting their due share of personalized consideration.

[@KingAlphaOmega]

😂😂😂

[@arunbengalee8723]

You might be right in fairy land. But in real world, an employer would prefer to hire male if they are equally qualified in case women are given 2/3 extra leaves. Menstrual leave is just not needed as much as equal opportunities.

[@9cupsofwater]

@@arunbengalee8723 And you are not even a female to be partaking in this discussion.

[@ij4674]

​@@9cupsofwater A lot of Wmn 'think' with just their emotions. Employers think on who can give him the most return. So he will just choose male employees while hiring.

[@arunbengalee8723]

@@ij4674 lets not make generalise statements about women. Just as males don't like generalise statements about them, women don't too.

[@bhartibathla514]

There should be proper menstural-helping facilities for women at workplace that can allow women to have comfortable while working......The more women feel tired the more they become week (a personal opinion) there should be proper care of them while they are mensurating ex- hot water bottle, rest room, clean and hygenic toilets, not the pressure of wearing tight trousers at MNCs, timely given fruit or vegetable salad and hot drinkes, the last but not least cooperation witj them by male co-ordinates. Also lunch facilities, and less physical work.

[@Sandnya17]

Unpaid leave is ok but paid leave is not ok

[@natalyazav1842]

Yes i agree one day mandatory the rest of the days optional.

[@anksssssssss]

It's fine as long as it's not paid .

[@prakashnagraj2449]

Make it LOP

[@manasuniyal2897]

I think the leave should be on voluntary basis after all the medications and the certification of any for of problem must be submitted to the company . If a woman takes 1 leave per month due to her period pain then it would not cost enough to the company rather than coming to the company and creating problems for the entire working people.

[@mybookslibrary]

Earlier they said menstruation discriminate by not allowing in certain places or restrain from doing certain things....now they want to not do work during menstruation ..this isn't discrimination that you are not doing work on periods while others are doing work...Now this is not restraining you ....???? This is double standard definitely.....

[@Stardust-xl8nn]

In Hinduism menstruating women were given day offs from daily work instead special privileges were given, special food and treatment ensured to endure physical and mental pain. But this system got corrupted and once again looks like Hinduism was correct. Menstruation is natural process. Women should be provided with unpaid leaves and leaves compensating by working on weekends. Paid leaves is discriminatry against men, demotivating and huge burden on employers.

[@nojams4093]

Some menstruating women DON'T have plans of giving birth in the future. For women whose 'pregnancy leaves' are not applicable, what if we deduct them from menstrual leaves??

[@deepthinker1710]

what are talking !,no one got it. she said ,menstrual leaves ,means please provide women 2 days sick leave for every month,its optional whether to use that 2 days or not, some feel pain for more than a day. generally corporates will provide only 1 day leave for month, extend that to 1 more thats it. what has that to do with pregnancy. so according to your logic those women who dont want to become pregnants ever must become a man

[@rucha3385]

True good choice in the name of fulfilling society demnds women are dying. Its better we never have any kids.

[@anksssssssss]

​@@deepthinker1710it's fine as long as it's not a paid leave .

[@nojams4093]

@@deepthinker1710 your last sentence doesn't make sense. *Plus I'm only talking about those who r not planning to be a parent*. Also the no. of days period lasts vary from person to person Eg. 'A' bleeds every month (3-6days) & 'B' bleeds once in 6 months (~for more than a week). Thus instead of monthly 1-2 days optional leave (which govt won't approve due to issues mentioned in the vid, female employees won't be preferred in jobs,taboo,etc) that's y I'm suggesting an option

[@aarushgupta06]

I can tell that you haven't worked a day in your life.

[@Sonydev19]

Period leave is important. It doesn’t cause any biases towards women as long as you educate men and women about it. Atleast one day leave should be offered to women as optional leave and then leave it to them whether they want to take it or not. Pretty sure that there will be lot of women who desperately need atleast one day of leave..just like maternity leave, period leave is also important. If it’s causing so much bias towards women then cancel maternity leave also. Taking period leave or talking about periods doesn’t make anyone weak, it’s the ignorance towards the biological system that is making us weak as a society. It should definitely be given as optional leave.

[@Arnav150]

So naive

[@ಭಾರತೀಯ_ನಾಗರಿಕ]

@smdv1299 Thank you for expressing your opinion. Please don't misrepresent the argument in the video. Nowhere in the video did Palki say that "taking period leave or talking about periods" makes anyone "weak". It might be what you thought the argument was, but believe me, it wasn't...

[@x2931]

Womens Want 3 days leave EVERY MONTH.....36 Days a year! and then expecting equal pay too? 😅 When 4 days a week Work schedule will be implemented in Indian which will be equal for all then what??? And because its India...ADD festive holidays too.. 😮 Ladies... Do one thing!! Sit at Home! Why even come to office for those remaining 5-10 days a month 🙂

[@TukulParida]

Vague argument

[@shwethas8629]

​@@x2931from your reply I guess you are men. You need to understand who had put forward this point it's a well educated (so called) men Manoj Jha . And Smrithi Irani said clearly no to it. Don't generalise.

[@sonalisain9700]

I believe in supporting menstrual leave. It doesn't make sense for women to have to endure physical pain just to earn a day's salary. Ignoring the reality of menstruation is unfair and unjust. Let's work towards creating a policy that can provide some comfort and support to women.

[@aarushgupta06]

As a company, why would I hire a woman then? I have many men who are willing to work without paid maternity and menstrual leaves.

[@sonalisain9700]

Companies are run by human beings. As a women why should I marry and give you children when you cannot accommodate a women into a company

[@PminiNara]

In my previous company, we had a leave apart from sick days called wellness day or something on those lines available to both men and women. The company, rightly so, did not want women to opt for "sick days" when the reason was periods since periods indicate good health and not sickness. Taking these leaves did not always mean it was periods related, it could be to focus on mental health, burn out, etc. I think instead of labelling a leave and terming it menstrual leave in India where it is still unfortunately considered taboo, works backwards. Instead, devise a system that offers additional leave to be taken as per requirement by men and women, no questions asked. I recognize this is idealistic and probably not possible in much smaller companies or establishments but it's just a thought!

[@Manu-x2r2y]

Let women should decide because as a man totally don't know what goes in their system,and coming to sanitary napkins.....govt should provide freely,You are giving rice but in hunger index see where country stands......work on human consciousness sanitary napkin ka bhi Paisa kha jayega rice ka to kitna ghotala hai shayad creator knows,I am not complaining any govt, I am complaining about human consciousness.Chori ka nature hai to bhale he treasury tight security ho chori to hoga he; to chori nature change karna hai dimaag se,Pranam

[@poojakarn]

Holistic coverage in few minutes. I prepared the Current Affairs topic from this. Great !!! 👍

[@Motivationspecial100]

Right palki Sharma mam👍👍

[@chandekam1826]

We all know what will happen when the boss is female too, and she never suffered from menstrual cramps. I have enough female cousins, and I have heard all kinds of horror stories about their female bosses. One cousin was asked to work even through her typhoid infection. Imagine how such female bosses would respond to requests for menstrual leaves.

[@SR-cz5yy]

Palki is talking sense. Away with this period leave and leave it to the individual to decide their own situation.

[@aphelmusonda5253]

This woman is never biased in her presentations, she is always factual and neutral where it it is necessary ❤I love this channel

[@inambivalence1356]

Targeting the main problems and giving out a ryt opinion is her habit.............. love you miss❤

[@surajeetpaul92]

In India, women employees already get 6 months of paid maternity leave which is unfair towards male employees as the majority of the corporates do not have paternity leaves, and the very few organizations that allow paternity leaves, are only for 3 to 7 days. Now if paid menstrual leaves are introduced, out of 22 working days (assuming 2 days week-off) 3 to 5 days will be allocated for the same. So a male employee who works 22 days a month gets paid Rs. X and a female employee (assuming everything same like experience, age, skill, designation, etc.) will also get paid Rs. X for working 17 to 19 days a month. So every month the male employees have to do the work of their own quota as well as their female colleagues' quota. And at the year-end both employees will be evaluated equally and who knows maybe they will even get equal raises. So much for "Equality". Also, I am pretty sure that some female employees will take unfair advantage of these leaves. The guys do all the hard work and the girls get to enjoy the cream. Haha. Male lives are getting tougher day by day. I pray to God that more and more females should be born in the future, as with each passing day, female lives are getting cozy, and male lives are getting worse.

[@kavishwarmokal124]

And still the females wants exorbitantly high earning partner for the marriage.

[@heathen3278]

tere jyase napungshak ko pata nhi konse koke me paida hota he

[@Artivule]

Indeed

[@EaglesEyes6354]

Well presented.... 🙏🏻

[@Pawanyadav-hl9cn]

In 1 month men work in 25-26 days. Women work 20-21 days. Women want to pay equal salary as men . Feminist talk about equality 😂😂

[@evilhalo]

thank god, i got the opportunity to train my parents on understanding how to lead an almost expenditure free lifestyle, to which they started working in my favor to accumulate the bare minimum expenditure i need to sustain this lifetime without any worries, allowing me retire and relax at home right after my graduation, without having to sIave in all this bs jobs / careers / entrepreneurship / economy and all the other 21st shytury policies it feels so calm & peaceful to be 100% population free, i totally love this life, it's so beautiful 😍😍

[@kiyoracrimson]

Absolutely agree with you Palki ma'am 👏 This is the reason I like her True journalism right there with valid points Hats off to you

[@sirimanju236]

No need mandatory leave, not everyone goes to painful menstruation many of us are able to handle If leave is needed they who experience painful menstruation will take BUT making it mandatory is meaningless 👎👎👎

[@garuvahijaiganesh7290]

If one policy makes the fight harder, situations will be better without it. Aka ( period - full stop) Yes ma' am that's right !!!

[@ashajoram6926]

It's a must.

[@turdians]

If this were to become a mandatory policy, I would not hire any woman. I want my employees to put in work that is worth the money I pay them.

[@sanyakumari1303]

I don't need a leave for period. agree with the palki's words

[@cia1894]

I ,as a woman ,would say don't give us any menstrual leave. I know women would wonder why I am saying this. Men would feel happy to see that I'm agreeing with them. Men ! This is for you- Yes you're right, why would we want anymore special treatment just because of our gender, don't we fight for equal opportunity? Don't we fight for equal pay at work,? Don't we fight to be on the same table as you? The answer is yes! WE STILL HAVE TO FIGHT TO BE ON THE SAME STAGE! For centuries we were told that women belong to the kitchen, that our only job in the society is to bear children, raise them, serve the inlaws and listen to whatever the husband says- that's the portrayal of a perfect woman - we were told so. We're to get education but only that much that would help us raise the kids, not more than what could lead us to create our own identity. Not more than what could place us on the same table of the meeting or as superior to you men.. But gradually things changed, parents of daughters started prioritising the education of their girls more than their marriage. Our beloved progressive parents raised us as Durga who could handle the office as CEO and personal lives at the same time. No, we were not supposed to be perfect at everything, but considering the patriarchal society they have already been a part of , our parents told us that you have to fight more to get what a man easily gets, you have to take care of your dignity because you'll still be harassed at the workplace because of your gender.. if you get ahead they will credit your feminity more than your hardwork. They will crack jokes on PMS or 'the time of the month' , if you get agitated by their patriarchal behaviour. Our parents made us resilient to the pain of period mentally(not physiologically) . Because they knew this patriarchal society is looking for just one opportunity to put us down, to discredit our hardwork, to take away what we've achieved or we are to achieve. So women no, don't let them do that to you. We'll bleed , we will work and one day they'll not have any other option to agree why we have always been far better , more resilient and more deserving than them.

[@anime2315]

Honestly your comment made me soo emotional.... I'm.a girl myself, yes that's true came from family who are very supportive but the society is not

[@cia1894]

​@@anime2315I can understand.. thank God that we have been born into a family that doesn't believe in conforming to the social norms

[@ij4674]

​@@cia1894what 'career' where you going to choose if you where born in say 16th century? 99% of jobs till modern times - farmers, traders, soldiers, carpenters and other physically labourious dirty jobs. TELL ME WHICH AMONG THESE 'CAREERS' WHERE YOU GOING TO CHOOSE? Do you know how many people even knew to just write let alone get advanced education up untill last century?

[@sobahkonduru9347]

I have suffered for 25 years.Forget about leave not given wfh by women managers.policy required.

[@NidzShah-ps6kr]

This debate is more idealistic than based on ground realities. I run a company in the polymer sector and this has been my observation: Men fall sick more than women overall and take more both paid and unpaid leaves. They will often squander paid leaves on a trip to goa, women feel that they need to go above and beyond just to be noticed so they usually dont make auch errors or rarely do. When men fall sick they usually lose their intellectual capabilities to contribute in anyway for days back to back there by pressurizing entire teams but when women are on optional menstrual leave, which is 1day a month, they'll usually take work from home as it doesnt really affect their intellectual capabilities. In my company mentrual leave is optional and this year 13% of women took it but the others didn't. When they say "mandatory" they mean that we have to mandatorily give it as an option. Those options were factored in to our policy very well to safeguard our interests. Overall we faced no issue so far. We can also hire women at lesser salaries as women rarely negotiate where as even complete loser males will ask for ridiculous amounts of money. Women need to understand, that india doesnt need a reason to discriminate against you, they need an excuse to play into their pre-concieved biases. So dont be fooled. Take what you're getting cz our society goes above and beyond to accomodate men. The whole idea of leaves was actually built for men during the industrial revolution.

[@SuryaAshte]

A boon for humanity's success but a bane for women. 😶

[@sushmarathi8570]

Ma'am I really admires you 😊

[@riturajroy2136]

Last word was the best!!

[@anju04aa]

I need those leaves….I get bogged down by the pain during my periods…

[@prakashnagraj2449]

Let it be LOP

[@vincentbrk]

I support period leave. I think women would be more productive if they are given when she is well rested. Men can get a few half Fridays to balance if they are feeling jealous. Hindu woman are not allowed because temple energies invert the flow of prana during menstruation. Sinu Joseph’s book discusses that, if that’s unscientific then let it be part of freedom of religion.

[@x2931]

Womens Want 3 days leave EVERY MONTH.....36 Days a year! and then expecting equal pay too? 😅 When 4 days a week Work schedule will be implemented in Indian which will be equal for all then what??? And because its India...ADD festive holidays too.. 😮 Ladies... Do one thing!! Sit at Home! Why even come to office for those remaining 5-10 days a month 🙂

[@msdolly6101981]

As a hindu woman, temple is not same as office. There is no need of menstrual leave in office.

[@rucha3385]

​@@x2931atleast 1 day. Also i dont think women are ever paid equal especially in private sectors.

[@rucha3385]

​@@msdolly6101981you cant generalize this statement for every women. Periods are not a disease but they are painful so arent a fun trip either. Pcod , menopause are severe cases. Atleast 1 day leave is necessary while other qomen can keep working i dont care but if i do get a choice to rest i will my body matters more than the ceo i never saw

[@x2931]

@@rucha3385 We are here demanding for 4 days work week. Period leave and the above 4 days work week will never go together!!! No company or even country will allow both EVER!!! Plus This is India with gazillion festive holidays

[@MilkMocha56]

That's why Ms smiriti irani has suggested that paid sick leave can be given and person should be given choice to work from home when they are on sick leave . A women will be uncomfortable in getting period leave as it is like broadcasting you menstrual cycle to whole world. And those women who don't take leave will be judged as not everyone have natural cycle,much percentage of this generation is suffering from harmonal imbalance. These extensive cramps are found mainly with unmarried women. Women who have kids , generally don't get as extream cramps (in most cases) as unmarried or women without a child. Hence ,work from home which she's on sick leave is best option .

[@peacefulliving2906]

Usually in most worplaces at least one day a week (mostly Sundays) are day offs. So just allow women to work a Sunday and take menstrual leave when she has awful cramps or maybe work three Sundays for three period leaves. Why give extra leaves when things can be handled even this way?

[@peacefulliving2906]

I dont know why people are so offended by Smriti Irani's words. Menstruation is not a handicap. Yes, its hard for some women,actually its hard for most women. But paid leaves is not a solution. What is the gurantee that women will only take these leaves when they are having their period and not otherwise? And, just imagine having to admit to your employer that you are on your period! This isnt even practical.

[@sushmitaghosh3068]

when question is about Indian employee wellbeing, policies decided are always anti employee at the end.Thanks to Indian corporate managemnt mentality

[@thatguy_sMe]

As an Employer, if a man and a woman apply for an opening, they are equally qualified. I would definitely choose the man. it's not discrimination against women it's just ROI. These kinds of policies will make it even harder for employers to hire women, on average men work 6 hours longer than women in a week, on top of that if it is compulsory to give extra leave it's just a bad ROI decision an employer can make.

[@neshwhat702]

Makes sense. No menstrual leave for women. It will lead to more discrimination.

[@vishnupriyaa1642]

I'm curious to know, where can you get this data that men work six hours longer than women on average? Also if you look at teachers or lecturers in schools and colleges, you have a fixed schedule and workload, so ideally there shouldn't be a difference in ROI based on gender right? Then why is it there in other professions? Is it a baseless bias that just perpetuates this idea that women "work less" than men? Just like paternity leave helps balance out the bias against employing women who might take maternity leave, why can't companies cultivate healthy work cultures that can help ease the bias? I've heard that in Europe, irrespective of whether you are a man or a woman, you leave office at 4 or 5pm if you have kids. And you take turns to pick up the kids etc.

[@prakashnagraj2449]

​@@vishnupriyaa1642even in my office for morning shift we guys login at 5.45 am and girls come to office around 7.30am and never extend the Shift

[@ij4674]

​@@vishnupriyaa1642 That stat is from west, can Google it. I think it is highly likely that it is the same in India too.

[@ij4674]

​@@vishnupriyaa1642 From western studies, women give more importance to work life balance than men, from an employer stand point that's not exactly 'great'. From what I have sen in schools, generally, male teachers relative to female teachers are more likely to take up extra academic responsibilities (unpaid ones).

[@gworlsss393]

Add it to paid sick leave. Medical leave which is called. Don’t call it period leave. One or two days, optional leave. Not an accumulative leave do unused leave can be put together and used later. But leave subsides every month. Women can have additional sick leaves in a year’s calendar. Simple.

[@speak_truth1693]

It is simple and clear that “women take family lineage forward”. Periods are f*****g important. Men need to understand, appreciate and respect that.

[@manasuniyal2897]

They can totally stay at home ,as long as they want . It's good for the company as well as family.

[@prakashnagraj2449]

Then it should be f*****g LOP not paid leave

[@urldroidsuperbot2139]

I studied in coeducational schools and university. Not a single girl/woman used to be absent during menstruation. How are they supposed to be accommodated? Alternate classes? But women will menstruate on different days. Some girls will miss every day of the month. How will exams be scheduled? Coming to work, women are much less productive than men in the workplace. Women are not given tasks with hard deadlines or quantity thinking they should not be held to the same demands as men. This may be disputed by many, but deep down they know this is true. Now, women colleagues will have to put their intimate menstrual schedule on some planner for the whole office so that they will be absent on those days so no work or deliverable or presentation or meeting can be scheduled that week. Absurd. With so many days off, will the woman dock her salary and distribute among her male colleagues who will pick up the slack?

[@deepthinker1710]

you have severe level of paranoid ocd check with doctor

[@Volvo-f2y]

Logical and factual.

[@music-amysticitself232]

Menstrual leave will definitely increase the working ability.

[@manish8206]

Excellent, appeal, women are in every family, if women feel uncomfortable, leave should be given.

[@anakintsugipoetry]

No menstrual leave! By paying too much attention to this, the menstrual periods will be more painful, more visible (destroying the privacy each woman/girls are dyed to), so ... let's move forward. I remember, many women were raped, tortured and killed in the past, so WE ALL achieve our equal positioning on all sectors of the society. Those countries with menstrual leave should upgrade. This is a new world, already they are late some decades.

[@dixondpenha9395]

Women have to be 50%of the Indian labour force. Offices r only accepting women men r offered outdoor labour jobs. R u operational or ornamental. In Saudi Arabia women drive 55seater choverlet Yellow buses. That's what I call equality. No reservation.

[@me-zs7tr]

amazing journalism

[@ritwikdutta6914]

Men should Get Paternity leave in India, India is very Discriminating towards men

[@curioussoul5747]

Exactly my point well said. As a women v find it difficult to secure jobs not coz v have poor grades but simply coz v are women. Periods leave will make things worse. Spain , korea can afford all thse but not us at least not at this stage. V are the 1st generation of women who are entering work force it is so much difficult for us - uncooperative household, lack of childcare and creche services, men not taking paternity leaves etc. questions like- when will you get Married, or how old is your kid now, why did you take a break( for your kid) etc. Is so easily asked During recruitment. Now wat will be the next qstn - do you have dysmenorhhea? And for how many days? No thank you already survived clg by popping painkillers, sleepless nights on caffeine despite awful cramps, lack of clean washrooms in clgs can very well survive work place. Instead wat we need is men to be cooperative, helping out at chores, ofcrse education of ppl abt periods etc.

[@gurunaveen2647]

As I male i would even take leave ( unpaid or paid at my disposal ) to take care of my wife or mother but never welcome paid menstruation leave.

[@curioussoul5747]

@@gurunaveen2647 exactly my point. No offence but wat percentage of men in india you think paternity leave? Also men don't help wid chores. Am not saying all men are same. How many days our moms took break due to menstrual cramps but the thng is whn v continue to work thru the pain its taken for granted by society and normalised like - since v are women so v must do all the cooking or cleaning by ourselves even tho v are working same hours like our husbands. So that change of mentality is needed.

[@ashimpalak9974]

Argument is that "because men do not menstruate and so do not know what it is to feel like what women go through". However, although, men do not experience but they know by observing women who go through it. It is the reason why men want women to stay at home moms so that they can take care of themselves and fulfil their motherhood nature without much difficulty in women being at work and have to leave the work or be absent. Thus, if men were insensitive or oppressive to women then, they would have allowed the women go out of the house along side with them to do such hard work as they do at work regardless of women have menstruation or not. Rather, the truth is it men who wants women to stay home one reason is their nature of motherhood (fertility-issues) that they go through every month from age of 15 to age of 50. The best time for a person to join work force is by 25 to 50 but it depend on what sector of service she gives. On the other hand, it is women who acting against their own nature and trying to be like men to work as them to prove that they are Equal. Men and women body is totally different. Both designed to do different role. Men to lead and work hard in filed under the sun without any difficulty and women to be the mother to take care of their family and home while their husbands are working outside the home. Second, the biggest problem is going to raise is the population decline. Women want one or two or no children due to their work demand. It means labor force decline for lack of people, means low produce, less income and low economy. No laborer no produce. DONE.

[@gurunaveen2647]

Don't worry already we are over populated and population reduction is almost a century away particularly for this reason and less than 10% of work force is organised to grant such leaves . If women want to work and get same pay they must work properly, no previlge should be given to them already they have a heap of undue advantage.

[@KD-th7cw]

Well concluded 👏👏😃

[@mitalichina]

She put it very rightfully. There is fight for equal opportunity to education, opportunities, pay parity in some countries. This might set women back. I would rather use my vacation time for those days when it's unbeatable.

[@shashankselal3353]

The conclusion was really good

[@rasingh6893]

They want to work only for 26days but want salary of 30days....#equality😅

[@prakashnagraj2449]

😂😂😂😂

[@justhuman2459]

Idealistic indeed!!

[@machelawili5473]

The policy is tricky and bit of a double edge sword

[@_Rishabh_honeybadger]

I stand with the conclusion of miss palki

[@truthteller9603]

If man and woman are equal, then women should not be given a menstrual leave policy.

[@lalfam3051]

I get it, some women face challenges while others don't, but this feels like a disability. So you have maternal leave, menstrual leave, and then they'll start making it about 'safe spaces' since rates of harassment are high. The real question is, why should companies put up with such handicaps when they could hire cheaper male employees who are more than happy to work overtime?

[@vishwamaitry]

Menstruation is really a painful experience for some women. It is wrong to make a generalized statement like that. If you dont have pain, dont take leave. But some women go through terrible pain during periods. They should be allowed to take leave.