Odisha Woman Gets Support From Chhattisgarh For Her Menstrual Leave Signature Campaign

Raipur: “Advancing for a milestone never sees border”. This quote stands for an LLM student in Odisha’s Sambalpur town, Ranjeeta Priyadarshini, who has launched an online campaign demanding paid leave for women employed in both government and private sectors during periods.

Meanwhile, Ranjeeta is getting cloud nine support from various states for her initiative and now Chhattisgarh has extended its hands to join this young, dynamic and ambitious girl.

After Rajasthan, now not only the Congress ruling party in Chhattisgarh but also the BJP and Aam Aadmi Party have also shown their interest in the pad period campaign in the state as well.

Speaking to media persons, Ranjeeta Priyadarshini told that she went to the residence of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and handed over him a letter regarding her campaign.

Apart from this, he also met State Labour Minister Dr. Shivkumar Thahiya and handed over a letter to him, requesting to give one day pad period leave to the working women of the state during their menstruation.

On this, Minister Thahiya also assured her that a discussion would be held with the higher-level officials to implement such a unique initiative.

Apart from the ruling Congress, Chhattisgarh BJP media cell in-charge Anurag Agarwal, BJP leader Neelam Singh, Aam Aadmi Party state president Komal Hupendi, Pravah Nasre of All India Professional Congress, General Secretary Youth Congress Hameed Raja Sanu also supported the pad period leave campaign.

Recently, an online petition has also been sent to Union Labour Minister Bhupendra Yadav to implement any legal provision in this regard across India. Apart from this, meet the owners of the companies.

Inspired by her campaign, ‘Rajasthan Herbal International Private Limited’ company of Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan has started giving one day of paid leave during menstruation to its 30 women employees. It is the first company in Rajasthan to do so.

What is Paid Period Leave Campaign?

Ranjeeta said, “Women constitute nearly a third of the workforce in India. One of the most underreported reasons is discomfort from being on the ground while menstruating. I have encountered in numerous cases where women workers suffered during their periods while at work due to lack of access to proper toilets, restrooms, and many more.”

“I have launched the online campaign ‘SIGN my petition’ urging the Union Labour Ministry to implement a no-questions-asked, paid monthly period leave for all women workers in the country. According to Article 15 (3) and Article 42 of the Constitution, the state shall create special provisions for women providing just and humane conditions for work,” Ranjeeta, who is presently perusing LLM, added.

At present, 12 companies are offering paid leave to women employees during their periods. Then why this rule cannot be implemented at all government and private offices in the country, she questioned.

“I demand respect for me and all women workers because we are the backbone of our Indian economy,” she said while urging everyone to sign and share the petition widely.