If you are a woman in business and want to share your business story, then share it with us here and get featured!
Period leave in Zambia is now allowed by the country’s labour laws, with a provision for women to take a day off every month to accommodate period discomfort – the day off being called ‘Mother’s day’.
Women in Zambia can now call in any one day of the month to take the day off without providing any justification.
Like any other benefit provided to employees, this one too is prone to misuse but the spirit of the law definitely requires a salute. Surprisingly ‘Mother’s Day’ does have women not supporting it, with one quoted in the article linked to above, “I don’t believe in it and I don’t take it. Menses are a normal thing in a woman’s body; it’s like being pregnant or childbirth”.
Such a statement coming from a woman was surprising. I agree that it is a biologically normal phenomenon; however the discomfort related to it definitely does range from tolerable to extreme – with different women.
Does acknowledging that something like periods need consideration, mar the essence of the fight for equality of men and women? Would the argument ‘If men don’t get a day off, why should women?’ have to be considered valid for professional equality?
I hope not. Because periods are not a choice women make. It is biologically thrust on them; and if a country shows sensitivity enough to make it a part of its legislation it definitely needs unanimous support. Non-supporters argue that since there is no way of validating periods, the day off could be used for personal work. Well, don’t regular sick leaves get misused too?
By implementing legislation like this, even if in a small way, Zambia has set an example of being conscious. And this coming from a country which is till date plagued with issues like poverty, prostitution and early marriages, is commendable.
The law and the spirit behind it is definitely worth looking up to and emulating, by the rest of the world as well.
Become a premium user on Women’s Web and get access to exclusive content for women, plus useful Women’s Web events and resources in your city.
Top image via pixabay
read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
Modern work-life is incomplete without presentations. Here are 16 powerpoint presentation guidelines that will help you.
Call them PPT, powerpoints, or slides. Modern work-life is incomplete without them. Here are 16 PowerPoint presentation guidelines that will help you.
If you are a beginner or an expert, it is always a good time to brush up on your skills. If you are a woman returning to work, or a young woman starting out, it is always advisable to utilise every resource you get and learn tips to make your life easier.
Here are some pointers to make your next presentation stand out.
Does Ranbir Kapoor expressing his preferences about Alia using lipstick really make him a toxic husband?
Sometime back, a video of Alia Bhatt with Vogue went viral where she shares her go-to make-up routine and her unique way to apply lipstick. It went viral not for the quirkiness but because she said that after applying the lipstick, she “rubs it off” because her then boyfriend and now husband – Ranbir Kapoor likes her natural lip colour and asks her to “wipe it off”, whenever they are out on a date night.
Netizens had gone crazy over this video, calling RK toxic and not respecting AB’s choice to wear makeup. I saw the video a couple of times to understand the reason behind the uproar but I failed to understand it. I read many comments and saw people saying that asking your partner or dictating terms on how they should wear makeup is a major sign to leave the person.
Really?!
Please enter your email address