London, Bhubaneswar, May 28: The House of Lords in the UK Parliament hosted the 5th International Conference on Paid Period Leave on World Menstrual Hygiene Day, bringing together policymakers, community leaders, academics, health advocates, civil society organisations, and international delegates 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, the conference marked Menstrual Hygiene Day and attracted participants from the United Kingdom, India, Ghana, Nigeria, China, France, Spain, and several other countries.
The conference served as a global platform to advance discussions on menstrual health as a workplace and public policy issue, while highlighting the need for inclusive policies that support women’s health, wellbeing, and economic participation. Throughout the event, speakers emphasised that menstrual dignity should be recognised as a fundamental human right and that workplaces must evolve to better address the realities faced by women.
Opening the conference, Dr. Bibhuti Bhusan Pattnayak, Executive Director of the Global South Corridor, welcomed distinguished guests and highlighted the broader vision behind the organisation. He explained that the Global South Corridor was inspired by the historic spirit of Bali Jatra, which symbolised not only trade links between India, Southeast Asia, and Africa but also the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and social values. He noted that the Global South today represents nearly 85 per cent of the world’s population and contributes approximately 40 per cent of global GDP, making it essential that its voices and perspectives are heard on issues of international importance.
Dr. Pattnayak stated that the conference was about much more than policy discussions. It was about advancing dignity, health, workplace inclusion, and menstrual equity for women and girls worldwide. He expressed gratitude to Lord Rami Ranger, VUF, ECOF Enterprises, MHM-KIT, and all supporting organisations for helping create a platform that encourages meaningful dialogue and practical solutions capable of improving millions of lives.
Sweta Mohanty, Executive Director of the Global South Corridor, highlighted the importance of bringing menstrual wellbeing into mainstream workplace discussions. She observed that while conversations around endometriosis and menopause have become more common, they often emerge only after problems have escalated. Menstrual wellbeing, she argued, should form part of an earlier and more preventive approach to women’s health.
Mohanty suggested that relatively simple workplace measures, including flexible working arrangements and occasional work-from-home options, can create greater awareness and understanding of the biological realities women experience. Such measures, she said, contribute to more compassionate and sustainable workplace cultures while also supporting women dealing with conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, and menopause later in life.
A key highlight of the conference was the address by Lord Rami Ranger, who voiced strong support for Paid Period Leave and the broader campaign for menstrual dignity. Sharing his personal story, Lord Ranger recalled that his father passed away before he was born, leaving his mother to raise the family under difficult circumstances. Witnessing her resilience and sacrifices gave him a profound appreciation for the challenges faced by women.
Lord Ranger stressed that society must recognise and value the contributions women make in families, communities, and workplaces. Referring to his personal journey documented in his book, From Nothing to Everything: An Inspiring Saga of Struggle and Success from £2 to a £200 Million Business, he encouraged participants to continue advocating for positive social change. He pledged his ongoing support for the Paid Period Leave movement, describing it as an initiative that benefits not only women but humanity as a whole.
Representative from UNICEF, Ms Marion Walker, also participated in the conference, highlighting the organisation’s commitment to promoting the health, wellbeing, and development of children and families globally. The UNICEF representative emphasised the importance of workplace and public-sector policies that support women and improve menstrual health outcomes.
Ms Walker noted that greater awareness of menstrual health and stronger workplace support systems can help reduce barriers faced by women during menstruation, ultimately enhancing workforce participation and productivity. UNICEF reaffirmed its support for initiatives promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the wellbeing of women and girls, while encouraging collaboration among governments, employers, and civil society organisations.
Adding an international perspective, 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 Ranjeeta Priyadarshini, founder of the Global Campaign for Paid Period Leave, for bringing menstrual health into mainstream policy discussions and transforming a personal experience into a global advocacy movement.
Liu highlighted AWDPI’s commitment to advancing the rights, safety, education, and empowerment of women. She also drew attention to the growing influence of artificial intelligence in shaping workplaces and stressed the importance of ensuring that future systems are designed with gender-responsive principles. According to Liu, inclusive and equitable policies must remain central as workplaces continue to evolve in the digital era.
Mceva Temofe, President and Founder of African Economic Global Convergence, paid tribute to the leadership and persistence of Ranjeeta Priyadarshini, whose campaign has gained international recognition despite facing significant criticism and resistance in its early stages. He praised her determination in transforming a once-overlooked issue into a global movement for menstrual dignity and workplace justice.
Temofe highlighted the role played by African nations in supporting the movement, particularly Nigeria and Kenya. He referred to the Nairobi City County Government’s landmark decision to approve two days of paid menstrual leave per month for women employees, describing it as an example of how advocacy can influence public policy and improve lives. He encouraged governments, employers, and communities worldwide to continue working together to ensure that no woman has to choose between her health and her livelihood.
Councillor Sumeet Jalan focused on the need for education and awareness, particularly among boys and men. He argued that a lack of understanding about menstruation remains one of the biggest barriers to advancing menstrual health initiatives and supportive workplace policies. Jalan called for greater empathy, awareness, and active support from society and stressed the importance of educating future generations to break stigma and promote respect.
He also announced his intention to raise the issue within Bromley Council, advocating for broader discussions on menstrual health and Paid Period Leave at the local government level.
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, as well as the screening of a documentary on paid period leave. The documentary highlighted the experiences of women around the world and the growing momentum behind efforts to secure workplace policies that recognise menstrual health and dignity.
Closing the event, Partha Sarathi Panda, Executive Director of the Global South Corridor, delivered the vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to all speakers, delegates, organisations, and participants who contributed to the conference’s success. He noted that the discussions held on Menstrual Hygiene Day at the House of Lords had reinforced the importance of menstrual health, workplace inclusion, gender equality, and policy reform.
As the conference concluded, participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing menstrual dignity and workplace equality globally. Organisers expressed hope that the discussions and partnerships formed during the event would contribute to meaningful policy changes and create a future where no woman faces discrimination or disadvantage because of a natural biological process.
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