Up to 80% of Malaysian women who have suffered from cramping say it has interfered their ability to work, and strongly support measures to have leave during their periods, according to a research conducted by YouGov, an online research based company.
However, the data showed only 46% of those whose performance has been affected by period cramp have ever told to their employer that this was the case.
This survey was recently highlighted after a Mumbai-based company Culture Machine hit the headlines by introducing “First Day of Period” leave policy. The company has 75 female employees, applied this policy from July this year in order to be more women-friendly.
The research also shows that 86% of women in Malaysia say they have ever had period pain, and among those women who have had period pains and have worked, 81% say that period pain has affected their ability to work. However, the data showed that only 46% of Malaysian women admitted to their employers that their performance were affected by it.
A 23% told their employer that troubles caused by period pain were down to some other reason, while 32% said neither admitted or gave other reasons.
Society has been slow to recognise that period pain can be a significant issue for working women, although attitudes do seem to be changing. Aside from the actions of Culture Machine, countries including South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia and Japan have laws in place allowing women time off work when they are menstruating. Taiwan offer three days off a year for menstrual cramps.
YouGov, an online research based company, said the data was collected online between Aug 25 and Sept 7 this year using its panel of over 5 million people worldwide.
Read also: 4 Important Nutrients For Menopause
[Source: YouGov]
– Cover Image: womendisease.com
