A Period Friendly Workplace — Yes Please!

Apart from the period leave proposal, what else can be done to make the workplace period friendly? Read what #WomenOnTheMove had to say.

Menstruation is a biological process that women deal with for almost all their lives. Yet the apathy and the archaic taboos that accompany this routine part of female life is jarring.

Recently, a Mumbai based firm has brought the argument of period leave to the forefront. The proposal has received mixed reactions from women – while some have welcomed the move others like noted journalist Barkha Dutt have explicitly criticised the move.

Availability of rest-rooms

It is true that some women do not face any discomfort during menstruation, but there are many for whom menstrual cramps or Dysmenorrhea is quite debilitating. A place to rest for a while on those days will surely be a welcome move and will definitely have a positive impact on their work output.

Yes,with rest rooms/painkillers/ heat bag for cramps,access to proper sanitary pads/toilets, and proper support from staff-no period shaming

— Yeshna Dindoyal (@_Yeshna) July 19, 2017

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Access to toilets with menstruation supplies and provision for easy disposal

Many women and girls, especially in the un-organised sector do not have access to toilets. Also, menstruation supplies in schools, colleges and work places is almost non-existant in India.

Access to sanitary napkins , place to rest and sensitivity towards the person going through this #womenonthemove

— Sakshi Dutt (@sakshi2487) July 19, 2017

Have sanitary napkin dispenser in restrooms. That should speak enough abt “period friendly policies” https://t.co/Q2ACAjkXDY

— Deepa Govind (@DeepaGovind) July 19, 2017

Almost90%women work in the unorganised sector in farm,construction,textile industry,’get daily wages& have no legal clout/basic facilities.

— Mrinal Pande (@MrinalPande1) July 19, 2017

Educating both boys and girls about menstruation

It is alarming to see that although it is 2017, the taboos surrounding menstruation just refuse to go away. The only way to eradicate ignorance is through education and that includes both girls and boys.

and ideally in co-ed systems why not learn together about growing up thats the only way to stop it being tabooed #WomenOnTheMove

— Pooja Sharma Rao (@SoulVersified) July 19, 2017

#WomenOnTheMove And we need to include boys in period talks as well. Stop period blaming and shaming. And no codes words for periods

— Yeshna Dindoyal (@_Yeshna) July 19, 2017

A4. Let’s remove the stigma attached to silly things such as stains. Let’s talk to each other openly. Even boys need to be aware about this.

— Kasturi Patra (@PatraKasturi) July 19, 2017

Flexible work timings

Work from home option and flexible work timings are a good way to go easy yet be productive for women who experience discomfort during menstruation.

A3. Easy flexible timings, and most important no ‘are you in those 5 days’ question probing. #WomenOnTheMove

— Dipika (@gleefulblogger) July 19, 2017

Compassionate bosses

No, if ur boss is men and u openly tell him- about period leave- no question asked & leave accepted. But if its women boss- she makes faces.

— Seemaroradholi (@aroradholi) July 20, 2017

Conducting wellness sessions at work

By using a 3-dimensional approach- infrastructure, culture and policy / process changes. All 3 need to be worked on simultaneously.

— Interweave (@interweavein) July 19, 2017

Adopting a 3-dimensional approach that works in tandem

By using a 3-dimensional approach- infrastructure, culture and policy / process changes. All 3 need to be worked on simultaneously.

— Interweave (@interweavein) July 19, 2017

Image: Pixabay

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