Odisha has introduced a one-day menstrual leave policy for working women in both public and private sectors, becoming the third state in India to do so. The policy acknowledges the physical discomfort experienced by women during menstruation and aims to create a more inclusive workplace environment for women, following similar policies in Bihar and Kerala.
On the occasion of Independence Day, Pravati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha mentioned, "Earlier menstrual leave was not allowed. Now, it would be optional for working women to take leave on the first or second day of the menstrual cycle. It will be applied to both the government and private sector employees."
The government of the Women and Child Development Department of Odisha is set to introduce the details of the menstrual leave policy after a nationwide demand for such paid leave for students and working women. The BJP government has decided to implement a policy for working women, following a Supreme Court request for consultation. The decision aims to maintain a progressive image, as 1.5 lakh out of four lakh state government employees are women. Private Indian companies like Zomato, Swiggy, and Byju's offer 1-2 days of menstrual leave to female employees, but formal adoption by state governments remains limited.
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