Why women’s menstrual cycle should be known to employers: Smriti Irani

Union Minister Smriti Irani defended her stance on period leave, questioning the necessity of making a woman’s menstrual cycle known to her employer if mandatory paid leave during periods were to be enforced by the government. In an interview with ANI, she addressed the controversy stemming from her earlier statement in Parliament, emphasizing that menstruation should not be seen as a hindrance and the government had no plans for compulsory paid period leaves.
Irani highlighted potential concerns, particularly for single women who might choose not to take these proposed leaves, raising the issue of potential harassment they could face if forced to disclose such personal information to HR and accounts departments. She stressed that implementing such policies could inadvertently create barriers for women joining the workforce, especially in larger setups such as factory floors and corporate environments.
During her address in the Rajya Sabha while responding to RJD MP Manoj Jha’s query, Irani emphasized the natural aspect of menstruation in a woman’s life journey. She advocated against proposals that might deny equal opportunities to women based on perceptions from individuals not experiencing menstruation themselves. However, her remarks drew criticism, with Telangana leader K Kavitha expressing dismay over Irani’s perceived lack of understanding. Responding to the backlash, Irani acknowledged the controversy her statement stirred, explaining that the intention behind the question raised in Parliament was to draw attention to the absence of relevance regarding menstrual leave policies for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Irani defended her choice of words, clarifying that she referred to menstruation as a “handicap” in the context of its synonym, “impediment,” as highlighted in dictionaries, not implying disability. She also pointed out that criticisms about her apparent lack of understanding about menstrual pain were predominantly voiced by men, noting the irony in the discourse and the extreme reactions she faced.