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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The festive season is a busy time for everyone. Spending time with family, friends, and colleagues can be a great way to get in the Christmas spirit, but it also has the potential to be difficult if someone is struggling with a mental health disorder.

This can be a difficult time of year for many people. It’s a time that only comes once a year, which means that there’s no escaping from it. That said, there are ways to make the festive season a bit more tolerable. Whether it’s coping mechanisms to deal with the social aspect of the festive season or tips for improving your general mood, this blog post will help prepare you for this tough time of year.

Why are people with a mental health disorder more at risk during this time of year?

The festive season can be an especially difficult time for people who are at risk of mental health disorders. Increased alcohol consumption, weight gain, sleep deprivation, and financial stress can all contribute to this increased risk.

Festivals and celebrations are even more stressful for women. As most women take the forefront and handle the organizing and taking care of the traditions, rituals, customs that are carried on during this time, also the preparation of food, cleaning the house and decorating it are overseen by them in many traditional Indian settings. Though many enjoy it, this may also take a toll on women’s health and this is something we hardly consider.

It’s not always easy to cope with the demands of socializing. Sometimes it can feel like there’s no time for anything other than work or family. Social prescribing is a way of using existing resources to reduce stress, isolation, and anxiety. It could involve visiting your GP, seeing your psychotherapist or engaging with friends and family.

Coping tips for the festive season

During the holidays, some people feel their mood worsen as they overindulge. This holiday season, especially with the pandemic and loss of many loved ones, sadness, anxiety, and depression may be rampant.

Whether you’re feeling pressure to be joyful or another negative emotion, take a break from technology and try one of these coping tips to beat the lows around the festive season.

On top of battling depression beforehand, ringing in the holiday season may deepen it for some people. From using coping tips to make it through the season to checking in with loved ones, there are ways to get through this difficult time.

While feelings of anxiety and stress can often get the better of some people, according to Alford you can combat those low spirits with certain coping tips. Here are some approaches to dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression around this time of the year.

Acknowledge and address your feelings

. If you avoid whatever it is you’re feeling, that will not solve the problem but postpone it. For example, if someone close to you has passed away recently or if you’re having a relationship issue with your mother, friend or brother – it’s absolutely normal to not be in the mood for celebration and fun. You don’t have to force yourself to be happy just because you think the time of the year demands it.

Rejoice in the now and be genuine

With holiday stress, don’t try to compare yourself to prior years–you are always changing! For happiness inspiration year-round, consider one of their free workshops. When you feel stressed, unplug from social media and apps to be present for this time of year. It may seem like a good idea to document your holidays for Instagram, but in reality, it can make you feel pressured and anxious. Prioritize the moments with friends and family over any opportunities to snap a picture. Remember that documenting everything does not mean anything is better!

Don’t say yes when you really mean no

Overwhelmed? free yourself from peer pressure and try to set some boundaries, don’t feel pressured to overindulge, and remember that self-care is important. This is the time to take care of yourself. It’s so easy to get caught up in the holiday season and forget about yourself. But this is arguably the most important time of year to be self-care-oriented. Don’t focus on everyone else and their needs, take some time for yourself. This is the perfect time to catch up on your favorite television shows or watch a movie, read a book or spend some time doing things that make you happy.

For more blog posts on mental health disorder by Infano, click here.