Union Minister Smriti Irani said menstruation is not a disability and does not require paid leave for women.
Responding to RJD member Manoj Kumar Jha’s question in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Smriti Irani said, “Menstruation never interferes with women’s work, it is not a disability, it is a part of women’s life and a natural process.” She opposed the policy of paid menstrual leave for women.
Jha asked about steps taken by the government to enforce mandatory provisions for employers to grant a certain number of leaves to women employees.
“The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has prepared a draft policy on menstrual hygiene. The Center is already implementing a scheme to promote menstrual hygiene among girls in the age group of 10-19. “Furthermore, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has formulated a draft policy on menstrual hygiene in consultation with stakeholders,” Irani told the House.
“The scheme will be supported by the National Health Mission through the State Program Implementation Plan route based on the proposals received from the States or Union Territories. One of the main objectives of the project is to create awareness about menstrual hygiene,” said Irani.
