Will Menstrual Leave Be Introduced In All Indian States?

Pic courtesy MedlinePlus

New Delhi: The need for menstrual leave for girls and women is a long-standing issue.

The Kerala government recently announced it will grant menstrual leave to female students at state universities, while Bihar has been offering two days of menstrual leave every month for some years now.

There is no uniform policy across India, but that could change soon.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking direction to all state governments to frame rules for menstrual pain leaves to female students and working-class women at their respective workplaces and compliance of section 14 of Maternity Benefit Act 1961.

The matter has been posted for hearing on February 24 by a bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud after advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi sought an early date for the case.

Spain recently became the first European country to pass legislation regarding menstrual leave.