Karnataka has introduced a policy that is reshaping workplace rights across India, becoming the first state in the country to guarantee paid menstrual leave for women working in the formal sector. The initiative covers women between ages 18 and 52 employed in both state institutions and private organisations, allowing them one day of paid leave each month without the need to submit medical documentation.
The move is expected to benefit roughly 350,000 to 400,000 women in structured employment. However, it leaves out a far larger group—an estimated six million women who work as domestic helpers, daily-wage earners, and gig workers operating outside the formal system. Labour experts argue that the policy will only reach its full potential when it is extended to women whose work falls within the unregulated economy.
Despite this gap, the initiative is widely regarded as groundbreaking, particularly because it brings the private sector under its scope, offering the benefit regardless of the type of role or contract. Although several countries—including Spain, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia—already have systems of menstrual leave, such policies remain inconsistent within India. Only a few states like Bihar, Odisha and Kerala provide limited versions to certain categories of workers.
The introduction of menstrual leave has ignited conversations across the country. Some advocates see it as an essential support for women dealing with menstrual pain, ensuring they do not lose income while managing unavoidable discomfort. Others worry that such policies could be used to justify workplace bias or reinforce inequality.
Much of the scepticism arises from deep cultural attitudes. Menstruation remains a sensitive subject in several parts of India, often associated with social restrictions, including exclusion from some religious spaces. These attitudes are reflected in everyday life—such as shopkeepers wrapping sanitary pads in layers of newspaper to avoid public scrutiny.
While Karnataka’s tech hub already includes companies that voluntarily offer similar leave, many women believe the new statewide policy could make it easier to discuss periods openly. For workers in other industries—such as garment manufacturing—this change brings added relief, especially for employees who typically have only a small number of annual leave days.
Social scientists observe that tackling cultural stigma will remain the hardest part of implementation. Previous attempts to normalise conversations around menstruation, including awareness activities in states like Kerala, have had mixed results. The protests that erupted in 2018 over allowing menstruating women into the Sabarimala temple further highlighted how sensitive the subject remains.
Supporters of the new policy in Karnataka believe that clear recognition of menstrual needs in the workplace could slowly shift public attitudes. They encourage women to make full use of the leave, arguing that confidence in accessing the policy is key to changing long-standing social conditioning.
