Rebecca Manzi The government of Karnataka in India passes a historic measure: the Menstrual Leave Policy 2025, which guarantees 12 days of paid menstrual leave per year to all workers in the public and private sectors
The government of Karnataka has approved a revolutionary policy destined to change the world of women’s work in India. With the Menstrual Leave Policy 2025, the state introduces one day of paid leave per month for all female workers, without distinction between public and private sectors. The measure, approved by the cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is designed to promote a more inclusive, humane, and respectful work environment for women’s needs.
The new policy affects over 5 million women employed in government offices, textile factories, technology companies, multinational corporations, and private industries. In a state like Karnataka, where female labor force participation reaches 31.5%, the impact will be significant, especially in large cities like Bengaluru, the heart of India’s technology industry.
Garment factory workers, who constitute about 90% of the workforce in the sector, are among the main beneficiaries. But the measure also extends to professionals in startups, MNCs, and IT companies like Infosys, Wipro, and Google. According to Labor Minister Santosh Lad, the provision was developed over the past year, listening to more than 70 stakeholders.
From debate to law: a signal of progress for all of India
The proposal originated after discussions in 2024 about granting six days of leave per year, but the government decided to double the number to twelve, to better respond to women’s needs. The Law Commission of Karnataka drafted the Menstrual Leave and Hygiene Bill, which also provides for penalties up to 5,000 rupees (approximately $60) for employers who refuse or discriminate against employees during menstruation.
With this decision, Karnataka joins Bihar and Odisha, where forms of menstrual leave already exist, but limits the measure to state employees. The Karnataka initiative, however, is the first to have universal scope, including workers from every sector. A sign that India is beginning to recognize menstrual health as a labor right and not as a taboo, paving the way for a more equitable and conscious work culture.
Source: Reuters
