The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
Right to Menstrual Leave
The Supreme Court of India has made some negative and discriminatory observations while disposing off a petition seeking menstrual leave for working women. The Chief Justice of India has reportedly observed that nobody will hire women if such a law is made. Strangely, the court further observed, that such a leave can be harmful to the growth of industry.
In taking this view, the court has restated the patriarchal notion that women’s biological realities are not normal and need not be taken into account in their workplaces. By labelling menstrual leave as dangerous to the growth of companies, it has implied that women’s health needs are secondary to the productivity of companies. This is misplaced as enabling women to take leave during their menstrual cycle, if they so desire, is just recognising that women are equal participants in the workforce, but with separate needs, which should be construed as reasonable accommodation.
Ignoring menstruation and the pain women can go through during this period only invisibilises the issue and forces women to suffer. If the health and wellbeing of women is to be recognised, and they are to work with dignity, leave rules must include leave taken during one’s menstrual cycle.
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) demands that menstrual leave should be part of the right that a working woman is entitled to take.