Odisha government announced a one-day paid menstrual leave policy for all women employees in the state, both in the public and private sectors. The leave is optional and can be taken on the first or second day of the menstrual cycle.
The policy is intended to acknowledge women’s physical and emotional struggles during their cycles and to break the stigma surrounding menstruation. Some are calling it a significant step towards women’s empowerment and inclusivity.
Odisha has become the third state in the country to announce menstrual leave for working women in both public and private sectors.
Till now, Bihar and Kerala were the only two states that provide menstrual leave. While Bihar has a two-day leave policy for women employees, Kerala has a provision for a three-day period leave for women students. In Bihar, women government employees were granted two days period leave per month, up to the age of 45, while Kerala government has fixed the attendance limit for female students at 73 per cent including menstrual leave.
Guidelines or SOP to bring more clarity are needed in this respect as any kind of leave needs to be integrated into respective employment regulations.
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