Periods and menopause are two topics Tongan broadcaster Lusia Petelo says are not openly discussed in her Pacific culture.
So, the Niu FM radio host knew it would be an uphill battle when she had to confront the top four male executives in her company, the Pacific Media Network, and try to convince them to implement a menstrual policy that would allow paid extra leave for those having monthly periods or going through menopause.
The controversial and divisive employment issue is becoming more common in workplaces both here and overseas, but Lusia discovered that trying to win over her employers, who work within a Pacific framework, was going to be challenging.
“One of the main drivers for me was knowing that menstruating is not a sickness, as much as we know that sick leave is there for this,” the bubbly entertainer says.
“As Pacific women, some of us feel uncomfortable talking about things that are
