Jaipur, Rajasthan: In a significant push for menstrual equity and workplace inclusion, FORTI Rajasthan hosted a special screening of a documentary highlighting the Paid Period Leave movement, bringing together policymakers, administrators, business leaders, healthcare professionals, media representatives, and social activists to discuss the need for menstrual health rights and paid period leave in Rajasthan.

The documentary traces the journey of Ranjeeta Priyadarshini, founder of the Paid Period Leave movement and a global menstrual health advocate, showcasing her years-long campaign across villages, workplaces, legislative corridors, and international platforms. It documents her efforts across 24 Indian states, her engagement with lawmakers, and her advocacy at the United Nations, where she called for paid period leave to be recognised as a matter of dignity, equality, and human rights.

The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Shri Gopal Sharma, MLA, Civil Constituency, Jaipur, who attended as the chief guest. Other prominent attendees included Dr. Sanjeeb Patjoshi, IPS; Dr. Arun Agarwal, President of the International Marwari Foundation and Executive President of FORTI; Ms. Neelam Mittal, President of FORTI Women’s Wing; Shri Giriraj Garg; Shri M.D. Chopdaar; Dr. Archana Sharma; Dr. Akhilesh Yadav; renowned Odissi dancer Bibhudatta Das; and senior journalists Gunendra Sharma, Ravinder Choudhury, and Abhishek Choudhury, along with members of the International Marwari Federation and MHM KIT Metablitz.

During the programme, speakers lauded Priyadarshini’s grassroots activism and her commitment to breaking menstrual stigma through policy advocacy. They highlighted how her campaign contributed to the Government of Odisha introducing one day of paid period leave for working women in 2024, inspired Karnataka to announce 12 paid period leaves annually, and influenced Bihar to extend paid period leave benefits to women in the private sector.

On the occasion, Ranjeeta Priyadarshini submitted a formal memorandum to MLA Gopal Sharma, urging the Rajasthan Government to introduce paid period leave for women across the state. Responding to the appeal, Sharma expressed his support for the initiative and assured that he would raise the issue in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.

FORTI also extended its institutional support to the campaign. Dr. Arun Agarwal reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to menstrual dignity and workplace inclusion, while Ms. Neelam Mittal pledged support through the FORTI Women’s Wing and announced that paid period leave would be implemented for women employees in her own organisation.

The documentary concluded with an emotional appeal from Ranjeeta Priyadarshini, urging the Rajasthan Government to recognise paid period leave as a progressive workplace policy that promotes women’s health, dignity, and equal participation in the workforce. She called upon the state to join the growing movement by implementing paid period leave for women across Rajasthan, describing it as a necessary step towards a more inclusive and compassionate society.