Bhubaneswar: Ranjeeta Priyadarshini, a social activist from Odisha, made a powerful plea for paid menstrual leaves for women at the ‘Summit of the Future’ event during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
This move is part of her ongoing effort to challenge societal norms and stigma surrounding menstruation, advocating for women’s rights globally.
She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to address this issue and took the chance to thank over 40 Prime Ministers from various countries that have implemented paid menstrual leave policies, recognizing their progressive stance on women’s rights.
“I am very grateful that today I have been able to attend the UN conference for the second time and my main issue is paid period leave. Paid period leave means that all working women should get 1-2 days leave during their periods and it should be paid; only then will they be able to take leave; otherwise, no woman will ever want to take leave thinking that her salary will be deducted,” she was quoted saying to ANI.
It is pertinent to mention that Odisha has become the third state in India to introduce a one-day menstrual leave policy for women workers in both government and private sectors.
Announced on August 15 this year, this optional leave can be taken on either the first or second day of the menstrual cycle, as per the woman’s preference.
