India state offers menstrual leave to all working women
9 days ago
- #gender-equality
- #India
- #menstrual-leave
- Karnataka becomes the first Indian state to offer paid menstrual leave to all working women in formal jobs.
- Women aged 18-52 can take one day of menstrual leave per month without a medical certificate, but it cannot be carried forward.
- The policy covers 350,000-400,000 women in the formal sector but excludes six million in the informal sector.
- Experts suggest the policy should extend to the informal sector.
- Menstrual leave is not new; countries like Spain, Japan, and some Indian states already offer it.
- The policy sparks debate over potential gender bias and equality concerns.
- Supporters argue it's a necessary right to avoid losing pay or working through menstrual pain.
- Opponents feel the policy will be hard to implement due to societal taboos around menstruation.
- Efforts to de-stigmatize menstruation include empathy exercises for men and policy discussions.
- Some women believe the policy could help normalize discussions about menstruation.