A Russian lawmaker has asked parliament to give women two days paid leave a month when they menstruate, a move that has irked rights activists worried over creeping conservatism since Vladimir Putin resumed the presidency. Mikhail Degtyaryov, a member of the nationalist LDPR party led by the outspoken Vladimir Zhirinovsky, wrote on his website that he had proposed a draft law to increase the protection of women at the workplace.

“During that period (of menstruation), most women experience psychological and physiological discomfort. The pain for the fair sex is often so intense that it is necessary to call an ambulance,” said Degtyaryov, 32, who is married with two sons. Marina Pisklakova-Parker, head of women’s group Anna Center, said the proposal was absurd. “If we are seriously debating women’s efficiency at work during menstruation, we should also consider how fit for work men are after a drinking bout,” she said.

Russian lawmaker proposes paid days off for menstruating women (NBC News)