Labor MLA Suzanne Orr will introduce a motion today calling for a menstruation and menopause policy to be developed in the ACT Public Service (ACTPS).
The motion calls for the ACT Government to work with relevant stakeholders to develop a menstruation and menopause policy, to help employees meet their work commitments while managing the impacts of menopause and menstruation.
The motion also calls on the government to engage with stakeholders to develop an education and awareness campaign aimed at reducing stigma around reproductive health matters in the workplace, and in support of the ACTPS menstruation and menopause policy.
Additionally, the ACT Government will be required to report to the Legislative Assembly on how menstruation and menopause leave could be implemented within the ACT Public Service.
Currently, women need to use their personal and other leave entitlements to help manage their periods or menopausal symptoms, as there are no entitlements dedicated to menstruation and menopause.
“For centuries, women were kept out of the workforce because of their reproductive roles in society,” Ms Orr said. “While we’ve seen this change in what are still relatively recent times, there remains much to do to achieve true equality in employment, including how we support women’s reproductive health in the workforce.
“Acknowledging and responding to the impacts of menstruation and menopause is one more step we can take to support the full participation of women and people who menstruate across our workforce.
“People who are menstruating or experiencing menopause are not sick or injured, yet the only way they can get support in the workplace to manage to the impacts of their period or menopause is to treat them as though they are,” Ms Orr said. “It does not have to be this way and we can do better.”
The motion was inspired from feedback provided from stakeholders and Canberrans who participated in the consultation of Ms Orr’s Period Products and Facilities (Access) Bill 2022, currently before the Assembly.
The ACT Government has until May 2023 to report on how menstruation and menopause leave could be implemented, along with a progress report about the menstruation and menopause policy.
Women’s Health Matters CEO, Lauren Anthes, welcomes the motion calling for a menstruation and menopause policy to be developed in the ACT Public Service.
“It is a significant step in moving towards normalising reproductive health and improving gender equality in the workplace,” she said.
Women’s Health Matters, the ACT peak body for women’s health, has recently introduced a reproductive health policy in their workplace, and is calling for other ACT employers to do the same.
“Reproductive health policies provide leave and flexibility for employees for reproductive health and sexual health related needs,” Ms Anthes said.
“We know that reproductive health needs, including those related to menstruation and menopause, can be complex, change over time, and vary significantly across individuals. Policies like this can support employees to take time off or organise flexible work arrangements when experiencing symptoms related to menstruation or menopause.”
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