Menstrual Leave; Why Women Need It ?

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I was in an urgent meeting when my cramps just came in a screaming flow. It was so painful that I could feel my insides contorting. I sat on my workstation for at least 30 mins writhing in pain. Yet I could not muster the courage to ask my boss for an early off. I thought It wasn’t a reason enough for a menstrual leave.

This is the story of Aditi; a corporate employee who has learned to deal with the lethal period of pain and meet deadlines simultaneously. Well, This is the shared fate of all the women who have become a silent sufferer instead of standing up for their right to rest during periods

Almost 25 million women have endometriosis illness. This illness leads to the worst menstrual pain. The pain gets so unbearable sometimes that may lead to a person’s death under certain circumstances.

Endometriosis Society India

Why is period still a stigma?

Even several years of concentrated efforts to spread period awareness through articles, discussions, blogs, vlogs, awareness camps, and workshops have done little change only. What is the reason behind stigmatizing menstruation and not doing away with it completely? Here is the answer. Destigmatizing periods will call for facing challenges like menstrual management, adverse reproductive health outcome, social ostracization of women, diseases, and death due to period pain.

In any case, we need to speed up our collective effort to demand a legal framework for menstrual leave law in India

A look at India’s legal framework for menstrual leave.

The Indian legislative has been extremely backward in framing period-friendly policies. Firstly, It was considered an important issue to be brought into the legal arena. Secondly, women had to always put up a good fight to ask even for a bare minimum.

On the other hand, countries like Japan, South Korea, and Italy have always had period-sensitive policies. However, Bihar is the only Indian state to provide special menstrual leave since 1992 through its Human Resource guidelines.

The Menstruation Benefit Bill 2018 tabled in the parliament prescribes two days of menstrual leave every month. However, it is yet to receive assent.

On the other hand, Private companies have been up to speed in implementing period-sensitive policies. Companies like Zomato, Byju’s, Swiggy, Mathubhumi, Magzter, Industry ARC, FlyMyBiz, Gozoop, and iVIPANAN are the nine private companies that provide adopted different frameworks to provide monthly period leaves to their employees.

There is another tangent of discussion on menstrual leaves in the workplace. Though some women have been demanding paid menstrual leave at the workplace, there is another group of women that holds a contrary opinion. They say providing menstrual leave will deepen male preconceptions about a female weakness which will also affect the overall hiring and promotion prospects of women in the workplace.

The issue of menstrual leave tends to a backseat among other issues due to the male dominance in every work sphere. They associate menstrual leave an attack on productivity and outcome.

Why do we need the paid period leaves?

Everybody is built differently and thus responds differently to menstrual pain. The biological complexities should be considered a strong reason to base the provision of paid period leaves in India. Deriding women of rest during periods when they experience excruciating pain not only violates women’s rights but basic human rights as well.

Right to rest: Every menstruator deserves a proper rest and medication(If required) while on periods. To work at the cost of an ailment not only worsens physical health but mental health as well.

Improved productivity: There is an infamous misconception that period leave will affect the productivity of women professionals. In fact, the period leave will leave women to rest and get back to work all fresh and energetic.

Period-sensitive workplace: Workplace policies have been running to and fro on various issues. However, period talk has always been a taboo topic. The provision of the paid period will make the workspaces period sensitive.

Encourage Women professionals: Often women flinch from taking up challenging jobs and companies that are not period friendly. This dwarfs the longitude of their career and personal growth. Period sensitivity at the workplace will encourage women to stretch their potential to the fullest.

It high time for all menstruators to stand up for their right to demand paid period leaves. In a country that has been oscillating between regressive and progressive reforms and ideas, Fighting for menstrual leave is going to be a tough task but nevertheless, We should anticipate victory at the end.

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Depression is a medical condition with serious consequences. The mental anguish and emotional pain it causes can put significant stress on relationships for both the person suffering from depression and the loved one who is providing support. If you’re in a relationship with someone who’s suffering from depression, it can be difficult to know when and how to help and provide depression support to a loved one because depression is different for everyone. Sometimes it’s slow and steady, while other times it’s sudden or even something that comes and goes. Depression can be a debilitating disorder that causes sufferers to withdraw from their loved ones and the activities they used to enjoy.

If your partner is suffering from depression, it’s important that you take care of yourself while providing support for them. This blogpost by Infano will help.

Tips to Cope with a Partner who is Depressed

One of the most important things you can do to help your partner with depression is to be patient. Depression can alter the way people think, feel, and act in many different ways. Sometimes they may become detached or withdrawn. Other times they may lash out at you when they are feeling bad. It’s very hard for them to know what will or won’t make them better – that’s why it’s important that you offer help in various ways.

How to Be a Supportive Partner

Depression affects couples in many different ways. Your partner may withdraw from you, lash out at you, or neglect to take care of themselves. When you feel that your relationship with your loved one is suffering, it’s important to remember that it’s not just depression making them act this way. However, there are some steps you can take to be a supportive partner. For example, make sure you express your feelings without blaming them on their depression; make sure they know that the depression won’t last forever, and try to work on things together rather than trying to do everything yourself.

Tips on Self Care for You

It is possible for your loved one to be happy again, but it will take time. You will need to be patient and supportive during this process. Remember that you can’t do everything for them. The important thing is for you to take care of yourself so you can continue to support them. It’s also important to communicate openly about your feelings, needs, and worries without judgment or blame. Set aside time to talk about anything that might be bothering you. It’s helpful if you can share your feelings in a safe place with a friend or family member. It can also be helpful to talk with a counselor or therapist who can help you cope with the stress of caring for someone else.

Effective Communication in depression support

One of the most important skills for a partner is to be able to communicate effectively. They should be able to balance their concern about the person with depression with empathy and care. This will mean that they understand that depression is a mental health issue, not a moral weakness on the part of the person affected by it. It is important not to react too quickly or aggressively because this may cause anxiety and worsen symptoms. A partner should be able to communicate with the person in a way that is encouraging and supportive. Alternatively, they might wish to seek advice from a mental health professional.

CBT and other therapies

There are a number of different styles of therapy used to treat depression including counselling, psychotherapy, and group psychotherapy. These can help people to become more aware of the causes of their depression, and the factors that maintain it. They may also help them change the way they think and feel, leading to an improvement in their symptoms.

Conclusion

It can be difficult to have a loved one with depression at home. It is often hard for people with depression to take medications, so it’s important to help them find ways to cope. You can also do things with your loved ones that will make them happy, like going for walks or doing an activity together. It’s important to remember that you are not responsible for your loved one’s depression, but you can support them in their recovery process.

For more blogs on depression support and mental health, click here.