First in India: Karnataka approves 12 menstrual leaves for women employees across sectors; minister calls it a ‘progressive law’ | Bengaluru News
NEW DELHI: Karnataka has become the first state in India to approve 12 menstrual leaves for women in a year.The state govt announced that women working in state government offices, garment factories, multinational companies, IT firms, and other private-sector organisations will now be entitled to one paid menstrual leave per month. Officials stated that the move aims to safeguard the health and well-being of women employees while fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace.Speaking to reporters, Karnataka minister Santosh Lad said, “We have approved menstrual leaves for women. It is the most progressive new law that we have brought. Women can take as many as 12 sanctioned leaves in a year, once a month or all at once, whatever they choose as per their menstrual cycle.”“It is a feather in the cap of a progressive government which thinks for the welfare of women and considers the roles she has to play.” On the topic of a possible cabinet reshuffle, Lad added, “It will always be there. I don’t know when it is going to happen but we have left it on the party high command, the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister.”Kerala has rolled out a policy granting female trainees at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) two days of menstrual leave. In contrast, Bihar and Odisha offer a 12-day annual menstrual leave, but is limited to state government employees.
