An 18-member committee has been established to create a bill called ‘The Right of Women to Menstrual Leave and Free Access to Menstrual Health Products,’ which aims to enhance the work-life balance for women.
Labour Minister Santosh Lad stated, “We are currently evaluating the proposal and have arranged a meeting with the committee members.” This initiative seeks to assist the female workforce, recognizing that women experience considerable physical and emotional changes throughout their lives. The leave would be flexible, allowing women to decide when they need time off.
“It’s not just about being progressive. Women encounter numerous challenges, particularly after marriage or during motherhood. There are many aspects to consider,” Lad explained. If approved, Karnataka would become the fourth state, following Bihar, Kerala, and Odisha, to implement ‘period leave’ for women.
Notably, in December 2023, former Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani objected to a similar proposal in Parliament, arguing that menstruation is a natural occurrence that should not be classified as a disability requiring special leave, cautioning that it could limit equal opportunities for women.
By July 2024, the Supreme Court had forwarded the matter of menstrual leave policies to central and state governments, prompting them to consider the issue for female students and working women.
