Zambia
has made a provision in the country’s labour law that allows female
workers to take off one day a month known as Mother’s Day during their
menstruation period, even though it applies to all women, whether or not
they have children.
The
legal definition is not precise – women can take the day when they want
and do not have to provide any medical justification, leading some to
question the provision.
“I think it’s a good law because women go
through a lot when they are on their menses [periods],” says Ndekela
Mazimba, who works in public relations in an interview with BBC.
Ms
Mazimba is neither married nor does she have children but she takes her
Mother’s Day every month because of her grueling period pains.
“You
might find that on the first day of your menses, you’ll have stomach
cramps – really bad stomach cramps. You can take whatever painkillers
but end up in bed the whole day.
“And sometimes, you find that
someone is irritable before her menses start, but as they progress, it
gets better. So, in my case, it’s just the first day to help when the
symptoms are really bad.”
Women in Zambia do not need to make
prior arrangements to be absent from work, but can simply call in on the
day to say they are taking Mother’s Day.
An employer who denies female employees this entitlement can be prosecuted.
from dailytrust.
*Nice move…I know some
people who go almost crazy when its that time of the month..I become
really bitchy when its time and hang up on a lot of calls..just noticed
that though..lol