In Jain Dharma, menstruation (periods) is a natural body process, for sādhvijī / sāhebjī also.

1. Do sāhebjī “work” during periods?

Yes. Sādhvijīs do not stop all their routine in periods. They still:

• Do svādhyāy (study), prarthanā, samayik, pravachan, etc.
• Walk for gochari / alms as per their discipline.
• Do normal household‑type sewa that is allowed for them (cleaning their own place, arranging books, etc.).

They may take a little more rest if health is weak, but there is no rule that they must stop all work just because of periods.

2. Can they touch everything?

Here we must separate general things from sacred things:

• Normal things (utensils they are allowed to use, bedding, personal items, etc.):

They handle these as needed. There is no idea that “everything they touch becomes impure.”

• Sacred things (murtis, certain puja‑dravya, some scriptures, garbhagriha, etc.):

As per traditional maryādā, both for sādhvijī and śrāvikā: - During periods, they avoid direct touch of idols and some very pavitra dravya. - This is about ritual shuddhi, not that the person is spiritually low or bad.

Details can vary slightly between Digambar and Śvetāmbara traditions and also by individual āchārya / sangh maryādā, but the main spirit is the same:

• Soul is always pure.
• Menstruation creates temporary ritual limitations, mainly for idol-touch and certain temple rites, not for all touching and all work.

You can read a simple explanation here