Hi everyone, I’m Dr Sanmathi Raman, B.D.S. The topic of periods is still considered as taboo in deep interior regions of our country. Let’s see whether menstruators need a paid leave for that particular “day”.
Currently, we are under a health crisis (Covid-19). Not only our country, but the entire globe is undergoing a severe form of social and economic crisis. After the vaccine’s invention, this pandemic will still not go away immediately because of a massive loss in society due to Covid-19. Many families lost the only bread earner in their family, lost their money and property, basic livelihood needs, etc.
To recover from this crisis will take a lot of effort and pain. In many families, due to the loss of livelihood, the next person to take care of the family is the woman. The situation pushes both household women and working women to a condition to work even harder than before due to the loss of a male member of the family.
Due to Covid-19, many families incurred huge losses. We have been sitting inside the house (social distancing) for a long time without work, earnings, spendings, even without basic needs sometimes. Though we took all the precautionary and preventive measures, we couldn’t control this pandemic.
The Government of India and our research scientists are striving hard day and night to find a vaccine. After the vaccine’s discovery, we all need to work 24 hours to return to our usual position, which is quite hard. We lost our earnings, savings, etc., and to get back to the new normal with even more struggles is not going to be easy.
So, at this time everyone has to think in a visionary perspective and not be selfish. We all have to work together to compensate the loss that our country has faced in the past 5–6 months, and we all have to strive hard to bring back our country, not to the previous level, rather one step ahead from the Pre-Covid-19 India. Creating a new India for our future generation is very important.
Women will play a more significant role than men. Women are the eyes of our nation. So, if we believe that we can create new India, it’s 101% possible. Anything is possible if women are encouraged and motivated to take part in initiatives.
“Change is the only thing that doesn’t change”. We have to help our country move forward, and if we have a positive mindset, it is possible to make our new India. We can proudly say that we are all part of our nation-building process. For this to happen, apart from our sorrows and feelings, we have to contribute ourselves completely to provide a beautiful India to our future generation.
I agree that periods are quite hard. But we are brought up in a way that we can face “those days” of our lives every month. During our teens, we used to go to school regularly, appeared for exams, etc. So we are going to apply the same thing in the workplace too.
I completely agree that for some of us it is highly un-tolerable pain. In those conditions, it is necessary to provide paid leaves. But it is not a common scenario for everyone. Apart from those who cannot handle the workplace during menstruation, the remaining can be provided paid permission.
In our country, women are seen as Gods, rivers, nature, mothers. If we have a positive approach and thought process, we can change this entire nation. If we have this huge plan of making our new, well equipped, multidimensional India project in front of our thought, we can face any struggle, both physical and mental.
Menstruation is not at all a barrier to our success. It can be managed, tolerated to some extent. If not tolerable, we can overcome that by taking permission from our workplace for 3–5 hours, with pay. Transformation is the only way. That requires only hard work, and that can be done only by women.
Dedicated to all my energetic and enthusiastic women. Thank you. Jai Hind.