Kerala Congress MP Introduces Private Menstrual Leave Bill For Women. It’s Snowballing!
We hope the bill gets passed!
The conversation around periods in India is itself a taboo so expecting period leaves for women is like asking for the moon here. But I am very happy that things are changing, and menstruation and menstrual hygiene are much more openly talked about than before. Similarly, the need of having a certain number of days allotted as menstrual leave is also being recognised in India with the Kerala state administration taking the lead in this. Ernakulam Hibi Eden, who is the Congress Party MP from Kerala has introduced a private bill in the Parliament. This bill seeks to grant menstrual leaves to women and also asks for the free availability of pads and other products.
As per reports, Ernakulam Hibi Eden has introduced a bill in the Parliament that gives the right to women to take three days off from work during their periods. If the bill is passed, all the organisations registered with the government will have to grant this right to women.
Apart from seeking the right to menstrual leave, Eden the bill also seeks to facilitate free access to menstrual hygiene products for women. To ensure that the availability of free menstrual hygiene products takes place smoothly, Eden also proposed that a committee be set up. The name of the committee that has been proposed is Female Health Products Price Regulating Authority.
Regulating the prices of menstrual products, spreading awareness about the importance of using menstrual products and prioritising underprivileged women during the distribution of free menstrual products will be some of the responsibilities of the committee.
Nine members from the Central government are expected to be a part of this committee which will be chaired by the union health minister. Four of these nine members will be women. It is also interesting to note that it was Ernakulam Hibi Eden who had strongly campaigned to allow girls in Kerala universities to take period leaves.
Also read: All Kerala Universities To Have Menstrual Leave For Female Students: R.Bindu
We’re keeping our fingers crossed for the bill to be passed as it really is the need of the hour. Periods are never the same for two women, and many undergo severe pain and cramps during their cycle. These leaves will help them rest during this critical time.
Explained: What Is The Menstrual Leave PIL In Supreme Court And The Menstruation Benefit Bill?
