Supreme Court agrees to hear next week plea seeking rules for menstrual pain leave

The petition, filed by Delhi resident Shailendra Mani Tripathi, has also sought a direction to the Centre and all the States for compliance of section 14 of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

The Supreme Court on February 15 agreed to hear next week a plea seeking a direction to all the states to frame rules for menstrual pain leaves for female students and working women at their respective work places.

The plea was mentioned for urgent listing before a bench headed by Chief Justice D. Y. Chandrachud, which said it would be listed on February 24.

The petition, filed by Delhi resident Shailendra Mani Tripathi, has also sought a direction to the Centre and all the States for compliance of section 14 of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.

Section 14 of the Act deals with appointment of inspectors and says appropriate government may appoint such officers and may define the local limits of jurisdiction within which they shall exercise their functions under this law.

The plea, which was mentioned for urgent listing by petitioner's advocate Vishal Tiwari, said countries like the United Kingdom, China, Wales, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea, Spain and Zambia are already providing menstrual pain leave in one form or the other.

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It said only women are empowered to propagate the human race with their special ability of creation and during different stages of maternity, she undergoes a number of physical and mental hardships, be it menstruation, pregnancy, miscarriage or any other related medical complications.