This article is about the menstrual needs of women in the workplace. These needs are as important as coffee or tea that is usually provided by companies without any extra charge for it. Menstrual needs include clean toilets for menstruators, dustbins to dispose of pads or tampons, free pads or tampons kits (should be kept in toilets), toilet paper, some medicine kits for period pain and a proper water supply.
These facilities should be considered necessities in every workplace. In India, many multinational companies provide clean and separate toilets for women, dustbins inside the stalls and proper water supply, but those companies don’t provide free pads or tampons. And the scenario is much worse in small organisations; they often don’t provide separate or hygienic toilets for women, no toilet paper or proper water supply, no dustbin and no free pads.
Women are compelled to ask for a pad from their female colleagues in case of unexpected bleeding. And sometimes, they are not able to find one at that moment.
The problem is that organisations see beverages as less cost-effective and more productive as facilities than menstrual pads. In India, talking about periods or pads is considered a taboo topic. In our homes as well, periods are considered a non-talkable topic, especially around non-menstruating male members. But in organisations, the situation remains the same, although most people are more educated there.
I want to ask you: how many women have you seen telling their non-menstruating male colleagues or seniors that they have a period issue or want pads or other menstrual necessities, or want a day off because of that. Employers should provide a free space to talk about menstrual needs and then make these necessities available. Governments should also enforce policies so that every small and large company provides free pads or other facilities to their menstruating employees. If coffee can be free for employees in a workplace, why not pads?