• YOUR women’s issue (March 9), however noble you may think it, is a waste of effort.

We shouldn’t be talking about women or women’s issues, just people. The more women are separated, highlighted, made different, the harder it is to achieve true equality because they are treated like a different species from men.

And before asking for paid leave during the menopause, women should think hard about what the effects such legislation would have on female employment.

If an employer has two candidates for a job, one man and one woman, both with equal experience and skills, but the woman might want time off for monthly periods, paid leave for childbirth / care and paid leave during the menopause, which one do you think the employer would choose?

In any case the menopause, and menstruation too, are just facts of female life. While some women suffer an exceptionally bad time during either or both, the word “exceptional”is the key: most just get on with it.

If women want equality why do they then expect special treatment?

MARCIA MACLEOD
A well post-menopausal woman, NW6