No-one will hire women’ – India’s top court rejects menstrual leave petition
Indian employees at the Myna Mahila Foundation prepare sanitary pads at their office in Mumbai on April 10, 2018. AFP via Getty Images
Menstruation is still a taboo subject in India
India’s top court has rejected a petition seeking menstrual leave for working women and female students with the judges saying if they were to make such a law, “no-one will hire women”.
The two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant said mandatory leave would make young women think they were “not at par” with their male colleagues and would be “harmful for their growth”.
The subject of menstrual leave has long polarised Indian society – while many agree with the justices’ views, others argue that a day or two off can help women deal with painful periods.
Some states and a number of large private companies have introduced menstrual leaves for employees over the years.
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