Special menstrual leave for women referred to health ministry

The ongoing debate over the potential implementation of menstrual leave for female government employees has taken an intriguing turn. The personnel ministry recently stated that this matter falls within the realm of health-related concerns. In a report presented in Parliament, the ministry suggested that the health ministry would be best suited to examine and address this issue, according to PTI.

This development follows an earlier recommendation from a parliamentary committee that urged the personnel ministry to collaborate with stakeholders and create a policy on menstrual leave. This proposed policy would allow female government employees dealing with menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea, and similar conditions to take time off from work. The committee stressed the impact of menstruation on women's well-being, highlighting how it can significantly impair productivity in the workplace.

The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law, and Justice emphasized the necessity of providing menstrual leaves or sick leaves/half-pay leaves per month or year for women, without requiring a medical certificate or justification. The report presented in Parliament underscored the existing provisions like maternity leave and child care leave under the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, designed to support the welfare of female central government employees.

In response to the committee's recommendations, the personnel ministry clarified that the matter of granting special menstrual leave is a health-related concern falling under the purview of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The ministry assured that any changes in this regard would be communicated extensively to all ministries or departments.

Notably, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani, in reply to a query from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on December 8, informed the Lok Sabha that there is presently no government proposal to enforce paid menstrual leave in all workplaces.