Russian Lawmaker Proposes Days Off for Menstruation. Is it Such a Bad Idea?

A Russian lawmaker has proposed legislation that would give women two days monthly leave for their period, which causes “psychological and physiological discomfort.” So far, it’s been an unpopular suggestion—mainly with the country’s women’s rights activists, who find it sexist.

“This argument is obviously improper, unreasonable and nothing close to being serious,” Anna Sobko, a lawyer at Russia’s oldest human rights group, Memorial, told Reuters.

Marina Pisklakova-Parker, head of women’s group Anna Center, called the proposal absurd. “If we are seriously debating women’s efficiency at work during menstruation,” she said, “we should also consider how fit for work men are after a drinking bout.”

Of course, supporting new legislation in Russia is not something that anyone who is remotely empathic wants to be caught doing these days; gay people, street protestors, journalists, Internet users, atheists, and pretty much anyone who cares to express herself in public are all targets of oppressive new laws. So it’s understandable that women would be swift to criticize a menstruation-leave proposal—especially since it was put forth by a man, Mikhail Degtyaryov, and because it seems ill-conceived and scapegoat-making at best.

“The pain for the fair sex is often so intense that it is necessary to call an ambulance," Degtyaryov noted in his draft bill, which went so far as to turn menstruation into an actual “social problem" (which is, unfortunately, a story that's been heard before).

“Strong pain induces heightened fatigue, reduces memory and work-competence and leads to colorful expressions of emotional discomfort,” claimed the bill, which one Twitter commenter likened to an article in the Onion. “Therefore scientists and gynecologists look on difficult menstruation not only as a medical, but also a social problem.”

OK, so the suggestion is a bad one. But does it always have to be?

It all depends on where it’s coming from—whether the intent is to show how weak and sub-par women are, or whether it is to truly be understanding to the fact that some women suffer from serious cramping, or dysmenorrhea.

The question of whether the suggestion of such a law is inherently sexist or feminist is not so easily answered, noted Margaret Stubbs, psychology professor and director of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research.

"I think it doesn't break down that easily," she told Yahoo! Shine. "This issue to me is over generalizing about women's 'nature.' Women are different and to describe or enact policy based on generalizations is problematic. Some women have very difficult periods. Others do not. Why can't this be considered a women's choice as to whether to call in 'sick' or not?  The issue is not even about "sickness" -- it is about what "is" for a particular woman. Why legislate or make policy that applies to all when women's experiences tell a different story?" Finally, Stubbs wondered, "We make exceptions for people whose physical conditions warrant it. Why not with menstruation?"

It’s an issue that’s been around for a long time, she noted. And it's one that's been played out in many parts of the world.

In New Zealand, the CEO of a major business association, the Employers’ and Manufacturers’ Association, was fired in 2011 for his comments on the topic.

“Who takes the most sick leave? Women do, in general," said Alasdair Thompson during a debate on why New Zealand women were paid about 12 percent less than men. "Why? Because once a month they have sick problems. Not all of them, but some do. They have children that they have to take time off to go home and take leave of. Therefore it's their productivity. It's not their fault." He then added, "I'm sorry, I don't like saying these things because it sounds like I'm sexist, but it's the facts of life."

In South Korea, female employees are entitled to one day of menstrual leave per month, although you have to be pretty brave to ask for it, apparently. “Every time I ask for the time off, I feel guilty for my co-workers since I know they have to do share my work,” a corporate worker told the Korea Times in a recent story about the entitlement and its controversies. “I don’t want to be perceived as receiving privileges just because I am a woman. But it’s not a privilege at all. We need an environment where we can use the leave when we need to.”

The law has caused public backlash, the story noted, eliciting comments such as this tweet from Sung Jae-gi, head of a men’s-rights group: “You (Korean women) should be ashamed of yourselves. Why are you making such a fuss about menstruating when the nation’s birthrate is the lowest in the world?”

Japan and Indonesia also have provisions allowing women to take days off for their periods.

And in Canada recently, Toronto women’s studies researcher Yara Doleh was preparing to lobby her country for an optional menstruation leave, acknowledging that social stigmas about women having their period would have to be addressed so that workers wouldn’t be afraid to take the days when offered.

“A few countries such as Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia and South Korea have already granted menstruation leave to their female workforce. We’re only fighting for one day … and I don’t think it would be costly,” she told the Toronto Observer. “Our bodies need it. Mentally, physically, we need it. It doesn’t have to be total seclusion; it’s just time for yourself, away from the routine … Then you come back fully rejuvenated.”

Although that most likely wouldn’t be the case in Russia, where you’d be too busy defending yourself as the cause of social ills. As one Twitter commenter noted Wednesday about Degtyaryov’s proposal, “Too bad his reasoning is ‘women are crazy.’”