Government issues order granting menstrual leave to women teachers

Bengaluru: In a significant women-centric policy decision, the Karnataka School Education Department has issued an official order granting menstrual leave to women teachers working in government schools across the state.

The move is aimed at safeguarding the health, dignity and overall well-being of women employees in the education sector. The official order was signed by School Education Department Commissioner Vikas Kishore Suralkar, providing eligible women teachers the facility to avail one day of menstrual leave every month.

The department stated that the decision was taken after considering the physical and mental health challenges faced by women during their menstrual cycle. According to the guidelines laid out in the order, the menstrual leave must be availed within the concerned month itself.

Teachers will not be allowed to carry forward the leave to subsequent months or accumulate it for later use. The department has clearly stated that unused menstrual leave will lapse at the end of each month.

The benefit will be applicable to women teachers aged between 18 and 52 years who are currently employed in government schools. Importantly, the order specifies that no medical certificate will be required to avail the leave, making the process simple and free from procedural hurdles.

Officials said the initiative is intended to help women teachers manage health-related discomfort without the pressure of attending work during difficult days. “The decision recognises menstrual health as a legitimate workplace concern and seeks to create a more supportive working environment,” an official said.

The announcement has been welcomed by women teachers across the state, many of whom described it as a long-pending demand. Teacher associations noted that the move would help reduce stress and improve productivity while also promoting dignity at the workplace.

With this decision, Karnataka joins a growing list of institutions and organisations that have begun acknowledging menstrual health as an important aspect of employee welfare. The department believes the policy will positively impact thousands of women teachers working in the state’s government school system.

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