Shawdesh desk:
In the realm of workplace discussions, many women hesitate to talk about menstruation with their male colleagues, and some even feel embarrassed to share the topic with other female coworkers.
The stigma surrounding menstruation often leads to various challenges, as some perceive it as a hindrance to optimal performance, similar to how individuals may easily take a sick day for other physical issues.
“The menstrual period is a natural occurrence, and during this time, a bit of extra care is necessary. But often, as women, we refrain from discussing it openly with others, worrying about “what will others say” or issues like this. In fact, we do not assert our demands based on our needs,” said Wahida Zaman Sithi, a senior manager (health communication), at Nora Health.
As a longtime working woman, she said that there is hardly any employer who takes women enjoying leave during menstruation each month easily. “This is so sad, but I found my male coworkers very helpful in this case,” she said.
The contrary to the historical norms, women are making significant strides in various fields today, and societal awareness of women’s rights has increased substantially. Women bear the dual responsibility of childbirth, and their physical makeup and associated challenges differ from those of men.
Coping with menstrual or period pain every month is one such challenge. A period is the part of the menstrual cycle when a girl bleeds from her uterus, out through her vagina. The period is usually 3–7 days. However, in the first 1/2 days, women have to suffer more. Since women experience hormonal changes during this time, there is severe abdominal pain. They can’t focus solely on work because the mood remains irritable. It seems very natural to us, but it’s very sensitive. If women do not take full care, there can be a big problem.
The scale and durability of the period vary from person to person. Some have less bleeding, some have more. Some people experience severe abdominal pain, headaches, bloating, moodiness, pain in the feet, and nausea; others do not experience anything like this.
However, for those who have pain or are bleeding too much, spending that time is very difficult. Again, when the level of bleeding is high in the individual, then the pad has to be changed repeatedly. There is less opportunity for it. This leads to physical as well as mental complications.
Those who get the opportunity to stay home, get a chance to rest on their own, and take care of themselves. Again, women can do some basic treatments, such as hot water splashing, sleeping, or eating something according to their choice.
However, those who have to go out for work are in trouble. Working women, especially school and college students. They don’t have the opportunity to be on their own. Again, they can’t even tell anyone about their situation out of shame. Everyone takes it so naturally that many people do not think that a little extra care should be taken at this time.
Answering the question of what workplaces, including educational institutions can do for women in such a situation, Prof Dr. Begum Nasrin of the Department of Women and Obstetrics at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College said, “In this case, if there is more physical work, then women can be given special opportunities.”
It can create an environment for authorities to open up about their problems. There should be a provision of counseling in educational institutions so that girls of schools and colleges can report their problems without fear. It may seem complicated to many, but only if things can be done in a more conscious way can women’s rights be truly guaranteed.
“Many people do not want to take pain medication due to fear. They think kidney damage can occur. However, without any side effects, there are some medicines that relieve pain; they can be taken initially,” she added.
Dr. Fauzia Moslem, president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, sees the issue as normal. She said, “Both men and women have different physical characteristics, but there should be no discrimination in the work around it. If there are more physical complications, they can go to a doctor or take leave.
However, since the woman suffers a little more during the period, she needs adequate emotional support. It is possible to overcome such difficulties with the support of family, society, and the workplace. However, we have to be aware not to make it stand as an obstacle to them.”
When asked whether adequate opportunities can be given to women in the workplace during the period or whether rules can be flexible for women, Kazi M. Anisul Islam, chairman of mass communication and journalism department of Comilla University, said, “Firstly, there is no one to give opportunities to women or flexible the rules; they have the right to make their own decisions at all times.
Secondly, it is everyone’s right to be healthy, to be sympathetic to someone if they feel sick, and to provide them with the support they need. I think we should change our mindset and attitude”.
“When I came to work, I found that most of my male colleagues were sincere and sensitive. Periods don’t seem to be exactly a taboo topic when talking to them. The workplace or organization also has a lot of responsibility here. Not just by making policy decisions like “optional leave,” but by creating opportunities for open discussion and expanding the scope of knowledge. I would like to say that the organisation also has a responsibility to break the taboo of periods to create sensitivity towards female employees. Productivity comes more from employees who can trust the workplace”, added Wahida Zaman.
After all, just as the issue of period is seen in a normal way, we also have to consider the matter as natural, which needs a little extra care at this time. It cannot be considered a weakness of a woman.
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