'Menstruation woman is not a handicap, no need for paid leave policy': Smriti Irani

Union Women and Child Development (WCD) Minister Smriti Irani made a significant statement in the Rajya Sabha, emphasizing that menstruation should not be considered a "handicap" and, therefore, does not warrant a specific policy for "paid leave." 

Responding to a question on menstrual hygiene policy posed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) member Manoj Kumar Jha, Irani said “As a menstruating woman, menstruation and the menstruation cycle is not a handicap, it’s a natural part of women’s life journey…We should not propose issues where women are denied equal opportunities just because somebody who does not menstruate has a particular viewpoint towards menstruation,”

While addressing concerns raised by Jha about potential risks associated with sanitary napkins, Irani assured the availability of affordable sanitary napkins through Jan Aushadi Kendra. She also addressed the issue of disposal, mentioning protocols initiated by the Jal Shakti Ministry in 2014 for the management of sanitary products. In her written response, the ministry detailed various government initiatives promoting menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls aged 10-19 years.