Menstruation

“Working with different companies, I encounter situations that in some of them women do not menstruate at all—for weeks, months or even years. Why? Because of the stress. Because the body thinks it is at war,” explains Iwona Firmanty, a psychologist, business coach and owner of Human Skills. “That is why it is so important for a menstruating woman herself to respect her body. It is a beautiful signal from her body that she is a woman. And it would be great if her company also supported her in these difficult days,” she stresses.

On 7 June, a public debate on menstrual poverty will be held in the Polish Senate. Last year, the European Parliament called on EU countries to provide free hygiene products to everyone who needs them. Scotland has introduced legislative solutions in this regard.

Ewa Kurowska-Tober, Head Partner of the IPT Practice at DLA Piper.

If men gave birth, had periods, raised children, the world would be... very different, obviously. Certainly more open to the needs related to having children.

Ela Bonda, Diversity & Inclusion Lead, Head of Property & Workplace, NatWest Group.

If it was men who gave birth, had their period, raised children, the world would be… different. If only them and the women not, then maybe we had the same problems, but in a different direction? And if both us and men - it would be very interesting.

Although the Japanese labour code recognises the needs of women, they are failed by corporate practices and the business system. Eliza Klonowska-Siwak, who is an expert on Japan, talks about the reality of a country that on the one hand offers menstrual leave and on the other is at the very bottom of gender equality ratings.