Now women employees of government and private sectors in Odisha will get one day of period leave in a month. Deputy CM Pravati Parida made this announcement on the occasion of Independence Day. On the occasion of Independence Day celebrations in Cuttack, she said that till now women did not get any leave during menstrual cycle. Now we have decided to give one day leave. Under this, women will be able to take leave on the first or second day of periods. This leave will be optional for them, that is, they will get it only if they themselves want it. She said that this decision will be applicable to government employees as well as private companies.
According to a research, 40 percent of girls cannot go to school due to periods. Due to things like lack of privacy in schools, lack of education and awareness, they find it better to stay at home. About 65 percent of girls say that their schooling is affected due to periods. They have to miss school and classes. Sometimes they do not go due to shame and sometimes their health does not support them. Social workers have also praised the decision of the Odisha government.
Social activist Namrata Chaddha welcomed the decision and said that this has been a long-standing demand of working women. Chaddha said, ‘I thank Deputy CM Pravati Parida on behalf of working women. This can be easily implemented in the government sector. But it will be difficult to implement it in the corporate and private sectors. When it is difficult to get even maternity leave in many places in the private sector, then how will one get leave for periods. It will probably be difficult for them to approve paid leave for periods.’
Such a rule is already applicable in Bihar and Kerala before Odisha
It is worth mentioning that a similar petition was also filed in the Supreme Court, which the court refused to consider. The bench said that with such a policy, women can become a part of the workforce on a large scale, but what will be the employers’ side in this? It is important to know this. It is worth mentioning that countries like Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea have made policies on periods. Demands have been raised in India too regarding this. In India, there is a Maternity Benefit Act in the Labor Law. Under this, the decision regarding this has been left to the institution. Let us tell you that before Odisha, there is a provision of periods leave in Bihar and Kerala. There is a rule of two days leave in Bihar and three days leave in Kerala.