Menstrual Leave For workers : SC Rejected PIL
The Supreme Court of India rejected a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) regarding menstrual leave for workers and students across the country.
- The court called it a policy matter and pointed out that menstrual pain leave has different dimensions and may also act as a disincentive for employers from engaging female employees.
- Menstrual leave or period leave refers to all policies that allow employees or students to take time off when they are experiencing menstrual pain or discomfort.
- Spain has become the first European country to grant paid menstrual leave to workers, with the right to three days of menstrual leave per month, which can be expanded to five days.
- Parliament has seen attempts to introduce menstrual leave and menstrual health products bills, but they have not been successful so far.
- The Menstruation Benefits Bill, 2017’ and Women’s Sexual, Reproductive and Menstrual Rights Bill in 2018.
- Right of Women to Menstrual Leave and Free Access to Menstrual Health Products Bill, 2022:
- The proposed Bill provides for three days of paid leave for women and transwomen during the period of menstruation and seeks to extend the benefit for students.
- The Bill cites research that indicates that approximately 40% of girls miss school during their periods, and nearly 65% said it had an impact on their daily activities at school.
