An 18-member committee has been formed to draft a bill titled ‘The Right of Women to Menstrual Leave and Free Access to Menstrual Health Products,’ aimed at improving the work-life balance for women.
Karnataka government is planning to propose paid menstrual leave for women in both private and public sectors with an aim to improve work-life balance for women. The government is looking to propose six days of paid menstrual leave a year for women to address the physical and emotional challenges they face during menstruation.
An 18-member committee has been formed to draft a bill titled ‘The Right of Women to Menstrual Leave and Free Access to Menstrual Health Products,’ aimed at improving the work-life balance for women.
“We are reviewing the proposal and have scheduled a meeting with the committee members. This initiative aims to support the female workforce, as women face significant physical and emotional fluctuations throughout their lives. The leave will be flexible, allowing women to choose when they need time off,” Labour Minister Santosh Lad said.
Lad will meet committee members to discuss the recommendations following which they will be put out for consultation with the public, companies and other stakeholders.
These 3 States Already Have Paid Period Leave Plan
If passed, Karnataka will be the fourth state to offer menstrual leave after Bihar, Kerala, and Odisha. The state has established an 18-member committee to draft the bill, focusing on the well-being of working women.
Bihar introduced its policy in 1992, allowing women two days of paid menstrual leave every month. In 2023, Kerala extended menstrual leave to female students in all universities and institutions, along with up to 60 days of maternity leave for female students over 18.
The Odisha government in August introduced a one-day menstrual leave policy for women workers in both the state government and the private sector. During the district-level Independence Day celebration in Cuttack, new Odisha CM Pravati Parida said women workers would be allowed to take the leave on either the first or second day of their menstrual cycle. The one-day menstrual leave policy will be effective immediately.4