#14 Period policies: Exploring the debate on menstrual leave | WeAreSTS

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As someone who prides herself on being interested in women’s health and progress related to it, Sofia Sancho still had no idea what “menstrual leave” was when it suddenly was all over the news earlier this spring.

Menstruation is a regular physiological phenomenon, happening to the vast majority of people with uteruses. Many people manage their periods just fine, but for some they can be extremely debilitating. For them, being able to take some extra days off work every month to manage symptoms can be a big relief. However, the policies have received a lot of critique. They can be difficult for companies to adopt in a viable way, and researchers worry that the sociocultural norms and stigmas that exist surrounding menstruation will lead to the policies doing more harm than good.

In the episode, Sofia invites you to join her on a deep dive into the world of menstrual health policies, as she explores the debate surrounding them. Why are they important? Why are they so controversial and debated? And how is any of this related to STS?

Sofia dearly thanks her guests Ms Lorren Rea and Dr Shema Tariq for helping her on this quest.

This episode is created as part of the STSNewsRoom 2022.

Want to learn more?

Literature cited in the episode:

https://profjoecain.net/14-period-policies-exploring-the-debate-on-menstrual-leave-wearests/

Featuring

Reporter and original research

Sofia Sancho

Interviewees

Ms Lorren Rea

Head of Employment Policy at UCL

Dr Shema Tariq

Clinical Research Fellow/ Honorary Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV

Host

Professor Joe Cain Professor of History and Philosophy of Biology

https://ucl.ac.uk/sts/cain

Music credits

Intro and Exit music

“Rollin At 5,” by Kevin MacLeod

https://filmmusic.io/song/5000-rollin-at-5

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Music within the episode

“Cool Jazzy Brass & Vibraphone” by M33 Project

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/m33-project/single/cool-jazzy-bass-vibraphone/

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Podcast information

WeAreSTS is a production of the Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS) at University College London (UCL). To find out more, or to leave feedback about the show:

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/podcast

This site also includes information for how STS students and staff can get involved with our programme.

Editing and post-production by Professor Joe Cain, unless otherwise noted.

WeAreSTS producer is Professor Joe Cain.

Twitter: @stsucl #WeAreSTS