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More than a decade back, journalist Barkha Dutt expressed a very strong opinion on not using seats reserved for women in a bus. Dutt, who “never wanted to be defined just by my gender”, was of the view that she did not feel the need to ask somebody to vacate a seat for her when she used public transport. She was not “weak” was what she intended to imply with the comment. A recent statement by a Union Minister, which has triggered a debate, made me jog my memory a bit.
“Menstruation is not a handicap,” said Union Minister for Women & Child Development Smriti Irani this week in parliament. She was responding to a question by RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha on provisions for menstruation leaves. “We should not propose issues where women are denied an equal opportunity… just because somebody who does not menstruate has a particular viewpoint on menstruation,” she further added.
A man pushing for a policy or provision for women was instantly told that his ask was invalid. The Union Minister, in the same breath, clarified that she was making the remarks in a personal capacity. Nevertheless, the statement sparked a wide debate.
Going back to Dutt’s comment on the ladies’ seats… why are such reserved seats required anyway? As someone who has travelled for years in Delhi’s public buses, it does not take too long to recall instances of sheer vulnerability of ‘our gender’ in the public transport. While the facilities may have improved over the years, the vulnerability is far from over. Should the women be apologetic for having such seats reserved for them? Of course not. Unless we ask for safety, how will we get equal opportunities?
Even as I write this blog, I can’t stop thinking of a news report on two drivers allegedly raping a teen in a packed bus headed to Jaipur. In a country where women safety is still a huge concern, reservation of space is a very very small step.
On the other hand, menstruation leaves are still being widely debated. The good thing is many companies are already offering such leaves to their employees. Are they denying equal opportunities to women. No, of course not. They are acknowledging that their workforce is diverse.
If expecting day offs during menstruation should make women guilty, should they also be guilty of taking a break during pregnancy, which also is “not a handicap”.
It has taken very long for such issues to even come in the public discourse. Gaslighting can’t be a way to build progressive workplaces. Irresponsible or thoughtless comments would only undo the little progress that has been made for sensitisation.
