By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 15, 2024: In what appears to be the BJP government’s Independence Day gift for women employees in Odisha, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Thursday announced a one-day menstrual leave policy for women in all jobs. She made the announcement during a district-level Independence Day celebration in Cuttack.

The one-day menstrual leave policy will be effective immediately for women employees eligible to take leave from work on the first or second day of their menstrual cycle.

The announcement has come amid a long-pending demand for a paid menstrual leave policy for all menstruators. On July 8, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre to consider the formulation of a paid menstrual leave policy after consulting all stakeholders.

Currently, Bihar and Kerala are the only Indian states with implemented menstrual leave policies. Bihar introduced its policy in 1992, allowing women two days of paid menstrual leave each month. In 2023, Kerala extended menstrual leave to female students in all universities and institutions, along with up to 60 days of maternity leave for female students over 18. Odisha is the recent addition to the list of Indian states providing menstrual leave.

Some private companies in India, such as Zomato, have also adopted menstrual leave policies, with Zomato offering 10 days of paid period leave annually since 2020. Despite these measures, there is no national law governing menstrual leave in India. Previous attempts to pass related bills, such as the Menstruation Benefits Bill, 2017, and the Women’s Sexual, Reproductive, and Menstrual Rights Bill, 2018, have not been successful. However, Odisha’s recent policy marks a significant step forward in recognizing and addressing the needs of women in the workplace.

Meanwhile, the nationwide implementation of the policy is unlikely as Minister of Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi, on July 26, clarified that there are currently no plans to mandate paid menstrual leave for all workplaces. In a written reply in Lok Sabha on the issue of menstrual leaves, Minister of Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi said, “At present, there is no proposal under consideration of the Government to make provision for paid menstrual leave mandatory for all workplaces.”

Earlier in July, the Supreme Court had instructed the central government to engage in discussions with relevant stakeholders to formulate a model policy for mandatory maternity leave policy. The instruction was passed by the SC when it refused to consider a plea seeking menstrual leave for female employees. The apex court had observed that the policy may encourage women for bigger participation but it may also dissuade employers from engaging women in its workforce.

Menstrual leave has become a topic of growing discussion and advocacy in India. Traditionally, menstruation has been shrouded in stigma and silence, with many women experiencing discomfort and health issues during their periods. Recently, there’s been a push towards recognising menstrual leave as a legitimate and necessary aspect of women’s health.