Jamaican women’s struggle with menstrual health and advocacy for legislative change

In a landmark move towards gender inclusivity and workplace equality, Jamaica’s government is urged to address a crucial issue that affects millions of women worldwide: menstrual leave legislation.

Menstrual leave, a policy that allows women to take time off work during their periods without fear of losing pay or facing discrimination, has gained traction globally as a means of promoting gender equality and acknowledging the unique health needs of women.

However, only Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea, and Zambia currently have legislation that allows women to take paid time off work during menstruation. Here in Jamaica, there is a cry from citizens nationwide to make menstrual leave a legislative right.

According to a JIS article from 2021, endometriosis, a condition causing debilitating pelvic and back pain during menstruation, affects over 100,000 women in Jamaica. While that may seem like a small number in comparison to the almost 800,000 women of childbearing age, endometriosis patients make up roughly 12.5% of the female workforce.

Trivell Thompson, a media practitioner and full-time student shares her experience working during menstruation with endometriosis.

“Sometimes I’m at my desk and the cramps are so intense I just have to brace myself and give it a few minutes to pass. When I’m at work during that time I feel so sick I’m not even productive. Nine times out of ten, I have to be sent home anyways.”

Thompson’s candid account sheds light on the harsh realities faced by women in the workforce who grapple with menstrual-related health issues like endometriosis. She believes menstrual leave would grant her a reprieve to deal with the waves of symptoms that hit at the beginning of menstruation.

“Menstrual leave would give me adequate time to deal with my symptoms because it’s not just the bleeding. It comes with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, backaches, headaches, and painkillers do nothing to relieve this pain. My period is seven days, so even if I get the first two or three days off I’d be eternally grateful.”

Psychological difficulties

Family Psychologist, Dr. Sheriffa Wilkins-Colquhoun, who specializes in the correlation between menstrual disorders and mental health sheds some light on the psychological difficulties women may face during their menstrual cycle.

Dr. Wilkins-Colquhoun says menstrual issues are twofold. There’s the Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) that exposes women to physical aches and pains that range from mild to moderate. Then, there is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) where women experience physical symptoms such as bloating, pains, fatigue, etc, and psychological symptoms that affect their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

“Some women at that time of the month may experience mood swings, low mood, as well as depressive and anxiety symptoms which are quite debilitating. These severe symptoms can range from the week of ovulation to the week of the period so they’re only free of symptoms for two weeks out of the month,” she explains.

These symptoms are a result of regular menstrual function and are typical even in women with no medical conditions. While it is important to shed light on the struggles of women with menstrual disorders, it would be a disservice to downplay the difficulties of everyday women.

Vitalia Scott, a full-time student and employee says that despite the lack of a diagnosis on her part, her period is not a pleasant experience. Not being able to function while menstruating has been an issue since her very first menstrual in high school.

“Whenever I’m menstruating, I can’t go to school, I can’t go to work, I can’t even go to church. I can’t do anything because I can’t function. It doesn’t make any sense.”

Scott shares that her symptoms range from full-body pain to cold sweats, to vomiting and diarrhea on any given day during menstruation. Despite these challenges, getting time off work for menstrual purposes has proven difficult.

“For me, calling out from work is a bit scary, because I feel like they’re going to belittle me for having to call out of work for my period. It’s a lot. I’m told I’m overreacting, or that it’s not that bad.”

Scott’s suggestion to employers is to provide designated sick days or specific days off for menstrual difficulty, as women like her have no choice in the matter. She declares that menstrual leave would “one hundred percent be the best thing that ever happened” to her as she would feel secure taking the time off she needs without worrying about job security or being plagued by guilt when she is unable to shoulder her responsibilities.

Menstrual leave advocacy

Dr. Wilkins-Colquhoun agrees that menstrual leave would alleviate some of the external stress her patients experience during menstruation, as many of the women she treats have had disciplinary actions taken against them in the workplace due to decreased productivity, missing days from work and fluctuating mood issues, including self-harming behaviors.

However, she is adamant that for menstrual leave to make a true difference in the lives of these women, more than written legislation is required. She believes that public education is paramount to progress in this regard.

“It is necessary to sensitize the family and those that these individuals work with. It doesn’t have to be specific, but ensure there are presentations and workshops to explain to the general public what is happening and how these things [menstrual symptoms and disorders] can affect individuals. This can help reduce the stigmas and stereotypes.”

With the acknowledgment of the potential benefits of menstrual leave by Dr. Wilkins-Colquhoun and our very own women who have shared their stories, attention is turned toward the broader societal impact and the need for systemic changes.

Specific details of any proposed legislation are yet to be identified, but stakeholders remain optimistic about the prospects of enacting menstrual leave policies in Jamaica. With the support of policymakers, the medical community, advocates, and the broader community, the nation can set a positive example for others to follow in recognizing and respecting women’s rights and needs in the workplace and beyond.