Women will be asked to sit at home: Supreme Court on mandatory menstrual leaves plea

A Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant asked the Centre to look at the petitioner's request and consider whether a policy on menstrual leave could be created after consulting different stakeholders.

The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a plea that asked for paid menstrual leave for women in all workplaces, saying that making such leave compulsory by law could end up harming women’s careers as they may be asked to sit at home, LiveLaw.in reported. The Court also said that while menstrual health concerns are important, forcing employers to give mandatory leave every month may discourage them from hiring women.

The judges asked the Centre to look at the petitioner’s request and consider whether a policy on menstrual leave could be created after consulting different stakeholders.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing the case filed by Shailendra Mani Tripathi.

Tripathi had asked the Court to direct the Union and state governments to create laws or policies recognising the health problems many women face during menstruation and to provide leave or other support.

The petition pointed out that many women suffer from conditions such as severe menstrual pain, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis and pelvic inflammatory disease, which can make it difficult to work or attend classes during their periods.

The petitioner argued that the government should create policies that provide leave or other relief for working women and female students.