Wish I Can Be A Man: Tennis Player's French Open Bid Amplifies Need For Period Leaves

China's Zheng Qinwen suffered from menstrual cramps as she lost to Poland's Iga Swiatek at the French Open fourth round on Monday, taking a set off the world number one.

Zheng Qinwen reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 70 on 18 April 2022. Zheng made her WTA Tour debut at the 2021 Palermo, where she also recorded her first win after defeating second seed Liudmila Samsonova in the first round. WTA tour, organised by the Women’s Tennis Association, is a worldwide top-tier tennis tour for women.

The 19-year-old said she had no pain during the beginning but took a medical time out at 3-0 down in the second, having her back massaged on the court. Later, she went to the locker room and returned with her right thigh strapped.

Suggested Reading: Period Leaves Are A Step Towards Breaking The Taboo Around Menstruation

Period Leaves For Sportswomen

"It's just girls’ things, you know. The first day is always so tough and then I have to do sport and I always have so much pain on the first day. And I couldn't go against my nature,” she told reporters, adding, “I wish I can be a man on the court, but I cannot at that moment.” She would not have “suffered” from what she did, had it been the case.

Although menstrual leave already exists in several countries, it has been widely criticised as counterproductive. It is a policy that affords women suffering extreme period pain one or two days off work. Existing in several countries around the world, it has been widely criticised as counterproductive, often reinforcing negative stereotypes around working women.

Relatively few researchers have explored how the knowledge that a woman is on her period affects her public perception, but one study suggested that people viewed tampon-toting women as less competent, less likeable and physically off-putting.

In sports, it is common for women to feel discriminated against, not just due to their sex but also because they menstruate. In fact, most athletes do not even discuss this subject in public out of embarrassment or fear that they may lose their sponsorships. But when it comes down to it, menstruation is a part of life and should be included in workplace policies.

For example, if a woman is on her period and is unable to practice for a day or two then she should be allowed to take leave from her job as well as receive a certain level of understanding from her fellow employees and managers. Furthermore, some countries such as Japan do include menstrual leave in their labour laws which shows that it is possible for menstruation to be accepted as part of life within society.

A January 2022 study by the Lancet said that many countries seek to address menstrual health and prioritise distributing period products. However, these efforts need to increase by providing affordable quality materials, and information on different types of products, so that individuals can make an informed choice about the product that best suits their needs.

The study also adds that menstrual health should be available for all those who menstruate and an understanding of the menstrual cycle within reproductive health, including menstrual disorders, need to be there. We must reduce the stigma and shame by normalising the discussion on menstruation.

Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) is an essential component of a woman’s reproductive health and well-being, yet these essential products are often unavailable or unaffordable in humanitarian contexts. Millions of women around the world experience menstruation, yet they and those they care for are often neglected due to taboos, stigmas, and discriminatory practices. This leads to their rights to health, education, non-discrimination, and gender equality getting ignored or violated.

Menstruation is a normal bodily function shared by all women and girls. For many young women, however, especially those living in poverty or without adequate sanitation facilities, menstruation can be a difficult experience. Women in sports also need period leaves and that does not make them any less competent or ambitious. Women in sports should be able to have period leaves the same way men get sick leaves. 

The views expressed are the author's own.