NPR

Company In India Gives Women A Day Off If Their Period Is Painful

It's been done before. Zambia has "mother's day." Italy is mulling a similar policy. The reaction to the news in India is mixed.
Source: Hanna Barczyk for NPR

Public discussion of periods is still a taboo in many parts of the world. But this week in India, everybody's talking about the topic.

The reason: an announcement by a Mumbai media firm called Culture Machine: The company has announced that its 75 women employees could take the first day of their period as a paid day off if they experience pain or discomfort. Some reactions have been supportive — and some not.

The rationale at Culture Machine: to reduce the stigma around menstruation as well as make it easier for women to

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