Editor,
I’m not here to define what menstrual cycle is, as most of the adults know it and consider it filthy, instead of terming it a natural biological process for girls and women. As per science and oral tradition, when a girl hits menstrual cycle, they are considered adults and in a stage to get married and become a wife.
Isn’t it a beauty of nature to have blessed girls and womenfolk, indicating eligibility to become a mother? A mother is the most precious person that exists in the universe and helps in continuation of human existence.
Perhaps the men’s sanctioned traditional practices have made it a stigma and they perceive it as impure and filthy. Girls and women say that it is the most painful moment when menstrual cycles hit them. Even medical practitioners say that it is most unbearably painful moment that creates sudden involuntary muscle contractions. And that is the moment when girls and women need special care and attention. But unfortunately, the sceptical mindset guided by traditional practices imposes a series of restrictions and obligations on girls and women.
Gynaecologists deal with the women reproductive system and diagnose medical issues related to menstrual imbalance, etc. Perhaps no gynaecologist has experienced incapability in carrying out the treatment while dealing with menstrual-related medical problem. If people go with the stigmas related to menstrual cycle, there wouldn’t have been men practicing gynaecology.
If we recall, MLA Ninong Ering, as the then MP, was the only legislator who introduced the menstrual benefits bill with a motive to facilitates women with certain menstrual benefits at workplace or in any institution of education. He introduced the menstrual benefits bill in 2017 as an MP before the Lok sabha as a private member bill and the same bill was introduced on the first day of the budget session 2022 – a bill that entitles women two days of special leave during menstrual cycle.
When the bill was introduced in the state Assembly of Arunachal, it had drawn the attention of majority of women, and the Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS) lauded the commendable initiative of Ering. People with a liberal mindset advocated adoption of the bill. A number of research scholars and women’s organisations across the state lauded Ering for always being intellectual in approach and actions. However, Ering was also castigated for bringing the bill in the Assembly. One of the MLAs outright rejected it and warned not to discuss and debate such “litra (filthy)” things in the Assembly.
In response to such assertion, the APWWS condemned it in the strongest terms and expressed displeasure over the use of unparliamentarily words against women’s natural biological process. The APWWS stated the act was borne of ignorance and disrespect for womenfolk.
Alo Libang, the then women and child development minister, during Assembly assured that the matter would be taken into cognisance and it would be discussed with the stakeholders. Following external pressure and reluctance of other MLAs in the Assembly, Ering had to withdraw the resolution.
Till date, no ray of hope can be seen to revive the bill, even after Assembly sessions have been called multiple times, but none were seen discussing and debating the menstrual benefits bill in the Assembly. Discussions and debates are the most essential part of a democracy, but no slot was given for said bill.
Astonishingly, even the elected women members were mum; not even a single word was uttered in the Assembly advocating women’s benefits.
The Menstrual Benefits Bill, 2022, seems to have been buried permanently, and it can be construed that the elected representatives are fine with the burial of the bill.
A rain of hope fell on deserted land on 13 November, 2024, when Capital SP Rohit Rajbir Singh endeavoured to facilitate women with special leave during menstrual cycle. He initiated a special leave policy dedicated to women police personnel of the Itanagar capital police that entitled one day special leave for women police personnel each month during menstrual cycle.
He has set an example for the other departments to follow his footprint. The question here is, why are other departments not introducing such special leave policy dedicating to women during menstrual cycle?
Since the matter is of importance to women, it is the responsibility of elected women MLAs to revive the bill. Will the present four women MLAs advocate it in the Assembly, or will they remain dormant like their predecessor women MLAs?
Jumge Pale,
Managing Director,
Arunachal Informer