Why Is ‘Period Leave’ Important for Women?

Menstruation is a process that starts at the age of 13-14 on average in all women and repeats every month until the onset of menopause. Even though it is wrongly considered as an ‘illness’ or ‘to be ashamed, hidden, shamed’ in our society, menstruation is actually quite natural and is a biological condition that every woman experiences except in exceptional cases.

So what does this have to do with business life? Why did an agenda item such as menstrual leave occur? Do women really experience symptoms during this period that may even prevent them from working?

The average 10-day process, which includes premenstrual and menstrual period, can be quite painful for women.

When I say painful, it is really painful… Many scientific studies conducted so far and the experiences of women show that the changes in the female body before and during the menstrual period can reach dimensions that can hinder their daily activities and work/social lives.

This brings up the issue that women should be able to overcome symptoms by taking leave during their menstrual period. This issue, which has been discussed from time to time in our country, has recently come to the fore with the Law Proposal on the Amendment of the Civil Servants Law and the Labor Law, prepared by CHP Istanbul Deputy Mahmut Tanal. If the bill becomes law, female civil servants and workers will be considered as one working day off per month from the start of their menstrual period.

So what exactly happens during menstruation?

• Irritability/emotionally sensitized
• anxiety state
• Tension
• Distraction/focus problems
• drowsiness/weakness
• Changes in appetite
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Pain and cramps in the groin area that are very intense from time to time
• edema in the body
• Tightness, swelling and pain in the breasts
• Hypersensitivity to sound and smell
• Constipation/gas pains

There are some average number of days set for a healthy period. For example, a healthy menstrual cycle repeats between 28-35 days. After this cycle is completed, the menstrual period continues for days ranging from 2-8 days. Although the above-mentioned effects vary from woman to woman, they begin to make themselves felt about a week before the onset of menstruation.

The period of about a week before menstruation begins is often called PMS. PMS, which is an acronym, is actually known as premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual syndrome. During the PMS period, the above-mentioned symptoms such as swelling and pain in the breasts, tension, unhappiness, and change in appetite occur in women. Then, it gets worse just before the period and continues during the menstrual period.

Are all these symptoms seen in every woman and constantly?

Our answer to this question is no. The symptoms that every woman experiences during her period and their severity are different. There may even be a difference between the previous menstrual period and the next menstrual period for the same woman.

While there are intense cramps and pains that are difficult to cope with in a menstrual period, the kind you would expect to go to bed and cry, but while you are more psychologically stable, you can have a comfortable menstrual period without showing any symptoms in the next period, or you may be more psychologically sensitive even though you do not experience any pain.

However, in some women, these symptoms can recur and seriously affect work/school/daily life balance. At this point, women may need to be treated under the supervision of a doctor.

Now let’s come to our main question; Why is ‘menstrual leave’ required in this process? What examples are there in the world?

Japan is the country with the longest period allowed in the world. Indonesia, Taiwan and South Korea also have ‘menstrual leave’ under different conditions. Unfortunately, the vast majority of women cannot use this leave with peace of mind. The reason is to refrain from asking permission from male managers or to have problems at work due to menstrual leave, although it is legally entitled.

In Europe, Italy has evaluated this issue in the past years, but it has not come to a conclusion. In recent months, Spain has taken important steps by becoming the first European country to enact menstrual leave. Apart from countries, many companies around the world have such applications.

Period leave is a real need for women who have gone through the painful process. It can be quite difficult to ask permission from male administrators or to try to explain the situation, especially about menstruation, which is a taboo in our society and in many societies. Trying to prove pain as ‘a disease that requires a doctor’s report’ is an unnecessary and tiring process.

For this reason, it is very important that this becomes a right protected by law. But of course, alone is not enough. It is necessary to evaluate the problems that may arise by considering the issue from a different angle, and to help this situation become a taboo by increasing the visibility of menstruation instead of just saying ‘we gave the permission, it’s over’.

After all, even though she has a right that is protected by law, no woman will want to use this right if she feels that she will be criticized, accused or harmed in her job.