Karnataka is nearing the finalisation of a policy aimed at providing women with six days of paid menstrual leave each year. This initiative, if enacted, could benefit numerous women employees in both the public and private sectors.
An 18-member committee, chaired by a law professor from Christ University, has submitted its findings to the Karnataka Labour Minister. The minister indicated that the proposed policy aims to bolster women’s workforce participation, which remains relatively low. Plans are underway for the minister to meet with the committee to review their recommendations before sharing the proposal with the public, companies and relevant stakeholders for further consultation.
The decision will position Karnataka as the fourth state in India to adopt such a measure, following Bihar, Kerala and Odisha.
The policy will apply to women in both government and private sectors, with officials aiming to establish a legal framework to ensure its effective implementation. While supporters argue that menstrual leave is essential for fostering a supportive work environment, critics raise concerns that such policies could deter employers from hiring women. Former Union Minister Smriti Irani has commented that menstrual leave may inadvertently frame menstruation as a disadvantage.
Internationally, several countries have already implemented paid menstrual leave, including Spain, which introduced such a law in February 2023, along with Indonesia, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
Experts also emphasise the need for flexibility in the policy, suggesting that while offering menstrual leave is important, it should not be mandatory, as this could discourage employers from hiring women amid already low female workforce participation in India.
