In a move that's being talked about across the country, the Karnataka government has just approved a new paid period leave policy. This is a significant development for working women, aiming to create more supportive and understanding workplacesStarting now, under the "Menstrual Leave Policy, 2025," women in both government and private sector jobs will be entitled to one day of paid leave each month. This means that employees in all sectors, from the state's large garment and IT industries to multinational corporations, will be covered.This new policy allows for a total of 12 days of paid menstrual leave per year.[ Interestingly, an initial proposal had suggested six days annually, but the state cabinet decided to double the number of leave daysWith this decision, Karnataka has become the first state in India to introduce a menstrual leave policy that is so wide-ranging, covering both public and private workplaces. While other states like Bihar and Odisha have similar policies, they are typically limited to government employees.Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called the new policy "a step towards a more humane, understanding, and inclusive workplace The government has emphasized that this is about prioritizing the health and well-being of women and helping to remove any stigma associated with menstruation.Labour Minister Santosh Lad described it as a "progressive new law," acknowledging the stress women can face and the various roles they juggleThis move is seen as a progressive step that could set an example for the rest of the country, sparking a larger conversation about women's health and equity in the workplace.
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