Rajni
North News
Chandigarh, September 24
In a significant move towards enhancing work-life balance for women, an 18-member committee has been established to draft a bill titled The Right of Women to Menstrual Leave and Free Access to Menstrual Health Products. Led by Christ University law professor Sapna S, the committee has submitted its report, confirmed Labour Minister Santhosh Lad, Times Now reported. Karnataka’s Labour Minister, Santosh Lad, had announced that the state is currently reviewing a proposal to provide six days of paid menstrual leave annually for women working in both the private and public sectors.
If passed, Karnataka would become the fourth Indian state to offer menstrual leave, joining Bihar, Kerala, and Odisha. Bihar pioneered this initiative in 1992, providing two days of paid leave per month for women. In 2023, Kerala extended menstrual leave to female students in universities, alongside offering up to 60 days of maternity leave for students over 18. Odisha followed suit in August 2024, introducing a one-day menstrual leave policy for women workers in both the government and private sectors.
The Economic Times noted that the debate on menstrual leave is not new. In December 2023, former Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani opposed a similar bill, arguing that menstruation is a natural process and should not be classified as a disability. However, in July 2024, the Supreme Court encouraged both central and state governments to consider menstrual leave policies for female students and working women.
Internationally, countries like Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and Spain have already implemented paid menstrual leave policies. Spain became the first European country to adopt such a measure in 2023.
While some, like Neeti Sharma, CEO of a staffing firm, have expressed concerns about the potential impact of mandatory menstrual leave on hiring practices, suggesting it could exacerbate gender disparities in the workforce, many women view the initiative as a bold and necessary step forward, according to Deccan Herald.
