Period leaves: Why do we need it?

Image source- Indian People Times

In past few years, period leave has became an important point of discussions. While many people agree on its need in educational institutions and workplaces, and any other institutions/organizations, government or private, it's unfortunate that there are still many who do not agree to it, and it not being implemented nationwide (and even worldwide).

With periods being very painful on average of 4-5 days of the month (differs in every menstruator), rest of a day or two is really needed. From period flow, cramps, headaches, bloating to mood swings, stains and back pain, it is surely a torturous pain for 4-5 days on a monthly basis.

Why do we need period leaves? That too hopefully paid for women in workforce. 

• Rest from pain- Going through so much pain but still working will affect her/their productivity for the day. Rather than pushing the body, can give body a rest for a day or 2, which can save her energy and she will be able to be more productive after the short rest. 
• Normalising periods - We are tired of lying about 'not well' or 'stomach ache', especially to our male bosses/teachers/colleagues, to cover up any leave or half-day for periods. It would be rather be more easier to say that I was on period leave, which will normalise periods, which unfortunately still remains as a taboo or awkward topic to talk about.
• Acknowledgement of pain menstruators go through - If we can understand the pain menstruators go through and be able to give a leave, this will give support and give them reassurance that we understand the pain they go through. This can help relax sohe of the stress they go through due to periods and other worries.

People will ask what about males? If they might have had to go through something like this, especially on a monthly basis, I would have stood by them to get leaves as well, to be able to get rest.

Some women, who have completed half or more of their career lives, would say that we didn't get such leaves. Unfortunately, yes and they should have been able to get period leaves too. But because previous generation(s) didn't get it, it shouldn't happen that the next generations have to be deprived of it either. Even when I would reach the age around 50-60, there will be so many new inventions/technology or social acceptance about something, that I don't get now. But that shouldn't mean newer generations are not able to get those benefits with changing times.

I know that for every menstruator, the level of pain is different. Some might have less than normal while others might have extremely painful periods. Some might still be able to carry on with daily life & go to school/college/workplace while another wouldn't be able to get out of the bed. 

With PCOS/PCOD (both being the same thing, just PCOS being the newer term) becoming more common, with 1 in every 5 women being diagnosed with PCOS, one of it's symptoms is Menorrhagia (heavy or prolonged bleeding) which can also cause weakness, it is really hard to be able to be present at the workplace, sports coaching or educational institution.

And if we go by the research which says that doctors have finally ruled menstrual cramps can be as painful as having a heart attack , we surely deserve even more days of period leave after surviving near-death experiences for most part of 2-4 consecutive days👀🙊.

Unlike what menstrual product advertisements show us, most of women just wanna stay in bed and keep thinking why did we have to born as a female to have to tolerate the torture of monthly blood waterfall. Temporarily wishing if we were born as a male to be able to escape all this. This is exactly what mood swings make us think and do😂. And if it's not heavy flow that confine us to our beds like a helpless sloth bear surrounded with snacks and chocolates, it is murderous cramps, bloating, headaches and back pain that plays role of fevicol between us and the bed.

1-2 days of period leaves monthly can be given to menstruators post their puberty age, from school itself. On very important days, like a important meeting at workplace or any presentation at school/college, it can still be conducted online (we have been used to work from home). Or maybe 1 day of period leave and another day of work from home (as for a lot of women, first 2 days of periods are the hardest). And period leaves aren't only for official institutions/organizations, but househelps too.

For those women who do not take period leaves, theirs may get compensated with more 1/2 days of sick leave. This way, they may not lose the benefits too.