Paid menstrual leave! Celebs who supported the move, became the voice of every working woman

Spain recently passed a law allowing women with especially painful periods to take paid ‘menstrual leave’ from work, in a European first initiative. However, it reignited the debate over the impact of ‘menstrual leave’. Discussions are on yet again. Will this move reduce stigma about menstruation? Or will it be a setback for working woman? While social media is divided on this subject you would be surprised to know that these celebs have already shared their views on whether it would help normalise menstruation. Take a look…

Celebs who’ve fiercely shut down body shaming

Paoli who has always been vocal about different social issues had once shared in an interview that period leave will be encouraging for working women as it will help in normalizing periods and period talk. She strongly believes it’s important to create an environment of healthy coexistence rather than denying the difference completely. While period leave might deepen biasness in people who are already biased, the actress feels the same argument can be done against maternity leave also, which we’ve now accepted and rightly so. She also reminds us pregnancy is a choice, but menstruation isn’t.

Alia is well known for her unbiased and helpful opinions on different social issues. She did talk about working on periods and how difficult it is where she mentioned, “Are we really saying we can’t give women leave or the prospect of working from home for that one day? My opinion of gritting our teeth and bearing it, fighting our biology so we can say we are as good as men have changed over time. We are equal, not identical,” she once said while sharing her thoughts on menstrual leave.

This can be a step in the right direction, that’s what Nussrat Jahan feels. She adds that women don’t talk too much about how painful periods can be for many of them. She says that it is also comforting to stay at home when you are bleeding. The actor-MP insists women shouldn’t feel ashamed of menstruating, neither should it lower her confidence. It also should not make working women feel weak while availing the leave as this step can help remove the taboo around menstruation.

Taapsee Pannu was once a part of a video campaign titled ‘what ifs’ and it mainly tried to break some major social taboos which were rather disturbing to know. In the video, Taapsee said, “If only stereotypes were taboo and our period wasn’t. If only rashes were more alarming and carrying pads openly wasn’t. If only getting period leave was normal and saying it’s just a matter of two days wasn’t. If only saying I am on my period was common and saying I am down or I am chumming wasn’t.”

Mimi insists that every woman goes through a different experience during her period, so one can’t generalize this discussion. She said during an earlier interview, “I feel, giving the option of taking a period leave is just being sensitive and respecting the fact that every woman reacts to their menstrual cycle in a different way.”

Swastika hopes period leave isn’t branded as a privilege, as women, like men, know how to deliver at work. The actress says period leave isn’t a concession or an excuse to empower women. If we are doing that then we are going back ages when seeking empowerment through exemptions. Today, we have what it takes to get to work, irrespective of what day of the month it is. So, we should be treated like any man who knows what it takes for him to get to work, irrespective of what day of the month it is. We should be treated as equals, claimed the popular actor.

Raima has never shied away from talking about women-centric issues. The actress, in a recent interview, shared that every woman's body is different and so are their comfort levels. During an interview she had said once that while some people have terrible cramps, some end up having a lot of back pain. Sharing her take on the debate, she said that if a woman can't come to work on the days she's menstruating, then the company should understand. Raima also urges women to do what's best for them.