Menstrual Leave For workers : SC Rejected PIL

News: The Supreme Court of India denied a PIL (Public Interest Lawsuit) demanding menstruation leave for workers and students across the country.

 

The court labelled it a policy concern and pointed out that menstrual pain leave has different dimensions and may potentially function as a disincentive for businesses from engaging female personnel.

Menstrual leave or period leave refers to all policies that allow employees or students to take time off while they are suffering menstrual pain or discomfort.

Spain has become the first European country to give paid menstruation leave to workers, with the right to three days of menstrual leave every month, which can be expanded to five days.

Menstrual leave and menstrual health products laws have been introduced in parliament, but so far they have not been successful.

Women’s Sexual, Reproductive, and Menstrual Rights Bill in 2018, as well as the Menstruation Benefits Bill of 2017.

Right of Women to Menstrual Leave and Free Access to Menstrual Health Goods Bill, 2022:

The proposed Law intends to expand the benefit to students and offers three days of paid vacation for menstruation for women and transwomen.

The Bill cites data that reveals that around 40% of females miss school during their periods, and nearly 65% claimed it had an influence on their everyday activities at school.