Menstrual Leave Policy: The big step to achieve gender inclusivity in Nigeria

‘I have a theory that menstrual pain is an act. Yes, women experience slight pains and discomfort during this period but it’s not excruciating enough for the act they show in those days. They just do it to manipulate the men in their lives and be pitied. Again, it’s just my theory.’- An X user, Provii.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Some people think menstruation is an easy feat for women. Others think it is an act. They say it is just the ‘monthly flow of blood.’ But little do they know most females do not have it easy. Particularly in Nigeria, 72% of women suffer from the prevalence of dysmenorrhea during their reproductive lifespan.

According to the National Library of Medicine, dysmenorrhea is a Greek term for ‘painful monthly bleeding. This condition is characterized by pain in the lower abdomen radiating to the inner thighs and back. It is a common gynecologic problem that can negatively impact a patient’s life. Menstrual pain also known as cramps and pelvic pain, is characterized by dysmenorrhea.

Women get maternity leave in Nigeria, one would think in the same light they should get menstrual leave. Unfortunately, there is no existing menstrual leave policy in Nigeria. There are so many cases of women who suffer from dysmenorrhea in Nigeria. Some workplaces see menstrual cramps as a flimsy excuse to be absent but would prefer if you ‘call in sick’ because of ‘malaria’.

No woman deserves to work or learn when her body is in excruciating pain. There are so many instances of females writing exams in schools because period cramps are not so good an excuse to miss an exam. They write the exams in pain and a bruised emotional condition. Menstrual pains are similar to labor pains because chemicals called ‘prostaglandin’ are formed in the lining of the uterus.

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Is there any organization that adopts a menstrual leave policy?

The Nigerian law does not recognize the menstrual leave policy yet. However, Unilever West Africa approved the menstrual leave policy for its workers on February 22, 2024. This policy took place in West Africa and, by extension, Nigeria, two years after Unilever introduced it in Sri Lanka. Unilever is one of the largest manufacturing companies in Nigeria. They are the producers of Knorr, Close-up, and Vaseline.

The Menstrual Leave Policy employed by Unilever Nigeria is one of the six human resource-related policies. Female workers can now take a day’s leave during their menstrual period to enable emotional, physical, and psychological balance. The company also unpacked some gender-inclusive packages for nursing mothers.

In Africa, only the Zambian law recognizes menstrual leave for its female workers making Zambia the foremost African enacting that law.

Why the Nigerian government need to adopt the Menstrual Leave Policy

The number of women who suffer from menstrual pain in Nigeria adds up to 72% in Nigeria. On Twitter, a lot of women lament about their period pain and even lament about how torturing it is that they are expected to function well during this period.

Employing this policy will build a gender-inclusive font for Nigeria. The percentage of females in Nigeria was reported to be 49. 46% in 2022. And even if bureaucracy would not allow the Nigerian government to enact this law soon, private companies can adopt this policy. There are so many women suffering from this oversight of their total well-being.

There should be health provisions on how to make life easier for women during their period. Menstruation is not a curse but a reproductive implication. It is unavoidable for women and most times the pain that comes with it.

In conclusion, the age of gender exclusivity is gradually closing up little by little. Though the gap is not taking its form in physicality, gender equality activists have been all out to preach their gospel to the ears of the people. Only policies that are gender inclusive will strive in this age because activists and feminists are ready to flag it down.