London May 30 : The 5th International Conference on Paid Period Leave was held at the House of Lords in the UK Parliament on World Menstrual Hygiene Day, bringing together policymakers, academics, civil society representatives, health advocates and delegates from several countries to discuss menstrual dignity, workplace inclusion and gender equality.
Organised by the Global South Corridor in partnership with Vishv Umiya Foundation (VUF), ECOF Enterprises and MHM-KIT on the occasion of Menstrual Hygiene Day, the conference witnessed participation from representatives of the UK, India, Ghana, Nigeria, China, France, Spain and other countries.
Ms. Ranjeeta Priyadarshini, Founder of the Global Campaign for Paid Period Leave, is the leading voice of the growing international movement advocating for one or two days of paid menstrual leave for working women, along with greater recognition of menstrual wellbeing in workplace and public policy discourse. Her guiding message, “We are equal, but not identical,” has sparked wider global conversations on equity, inclusion, and the need for workplace practices that respond to women’s health needs with fairness and dignity.
During the conference, Ms. Priyadarshini reflected on her personal journey in establishing the campaign for menstrual dignity and workplace equality. She spoke about the challenges of bringing menstrual health into mainstream public discourse and acknowledged the support she received from policymakers and institutions along the way, including backing from Bihar through MLA Lalan Singh, as well as stakeholders in Karnataka and Odisha.
She highlighted that several organisations have already begun adopting measures supporting menstrual wellbeing and paid period leave, signalling growing institutional recognition of the issue. Emphasising that menstrual health is a global concern rather than one limited to any single country, she described it as a shared challenge affecting women everywhere and argued that paid period leave could significantly improve women’s health, wellbeing, and workforce participation worldwide.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Bibhuti Bhusan Pattnayak, Executive Director of the Global South Corridor, said the event aimed to promote dialogue on menstrual health, workplace equality and women’s dignity. He highlighted the role of the Global South in shaping global conversations and called for greater recognition of menstrual equity as a public policy issue. Pattnayak said the conference was not merely about policy but about advancing dignity, health, workplace inclusion and equal opportunities for women and girls worldwide.
Sweta Mohanty, Executive Director of the Global South Corridor, stressed the need to include menstrual wellbeing in broader workplace health discussions. She said preventive and supportive workplace measures, including flexible work arrangements, could contribute to healthier and more inclusive environments for women.
Speaking at the conference, Lord Rami Ranger extended his support to the campaign for Paid Period Leave and highlighted the importance of recognising the challenges faced by women. Sharing his personal experiences, he recalled being raised by his mother after his father passed away before he was born. He urged policymakers and institutions to support initiatives that advance dignity, equality and wellbeing for women.
Representative from UNICEF, Ms Marion Walker, underlined the importance of menstrual health and hygiene in promoting women’s wellbeing and workforce participation. The organisation reiterated its support for efforts aimed at advancing gender equality and improving outcomes for women and girls through inclusive policies and awareness initiatives.
Chenxing Liu, UK Director of AWDPI (Asian Women Development Plan International), described Paid Period Leave as a workplace equality measure rather than a special privilege. She commended Priyadarshini for bringing menstrual health into mainstream policy discussions and called for greater inclusion of women in the design of future workplace systems and policies.
Mceva Temofe, President and Founder of African Economic Global Convergence, praised the global campaign led by Priyadarshini and highlighted policy developments in African countries supporting menstrual leave initiatives. He referred to the Nairobi City County Government’s approval of paid menstrual leave for women employees as an example of how advocacy can influence policy and improve lives.
Councillor Sumeet Jalan stressed the need for greater awareness among boys and men regarding menstrual health and called for wider public education to address stigma surrounding menstruation. He also announced his intention to raise the issue within Bromley Council to encourage further policy discussions.
The conference also featured the international launch of the Paid Period Leave International Song, composed by Rui Dai, Chairperson of the International Artificial Intelligence Association. A documentary on Paid Period Leave was screened during the conference, showcasing the experiences of women around the world and the growing international movement advocating menstrual dignity and workplace support.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Partha Sarathi Panda, Executive Director of the Global South Corridor, expressed appreciation to delegates, partner organisations and participants. He said the discussions had reinforced the importance of advancing menstrual health, workplace inclusion and gender equality through sustained policy engagement and collaboration.
The conference concluded with a call for continued international cooperation to promote menstrual dignity, workplace equality and supportive menstrual health policies for women across the world.
