The Hindu Editorial • March 16, 2026 • Read Original

Another barrier: on the issue of period leave

Mandatory period leave sans parity in recruitment will hurt women

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The Hindu Read Original

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Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on March 16, 2026

Another barrier: on the issue of period leave

Mandatory period leave sans parity in recruitment will hurt women

Menstrual LeaveWomen EmploymentLabor RightsSupreme CourtGender Equity

Sentences

Sentence 1 of 18

English Original

When considering a measure to address a work-related need, care must be taken to ensure that it does not inadvertently reduce the employee’s opportunity to work.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

When considering a to address a work-related need

While thinking about a solution to fix a problem at the workplace

Part 2

care

serious attention or caution

Part 3

must be taken

is necessary or required

Part 4

to ensure that it does not reduce the employee’s opportunity to work

to make sure it doesn’t accidentally lessen the chances for a worker to get employment or perform their duties

Sentence 2 of 18

English Original

This was again made evident on March 13, when a two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, refused to entertain a petition seeking a law providing menstrual leave for women workers and students.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This

The idea that new policies shouldn’t harm women’s job chances

Part 2

was again made

became clear once more

Part 3

evident

obvious or easy to see

Part 4

on March 13

on the 13th of March

Part 5

when a two-judge of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, refused to seeking a law providing for women workers and students

at the time a pair of Supreme Court judges, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, decided not to consider a request for a new rule that would grant period leave to working women and school girls

Sentence 3 of 18

English Original

The Court cautioned that mandatory menstrual leave could unintentionally hinder women’s careers and deny them “big responsibilities”.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Court

The judges of the Supreme Court

Part 2

gave a warning

Part 3

that menstrual leave could unintentionally women’s careers and deny them “big responsibilities”

that forcing companies to give period leave might accidentally slow down women’s professional growth and stop them from getting major roles at work

Sentence 4 of 18

English Original

Instead, it encouraged “voluntary” initiatives by States.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Instead

As an alternative

Part 2

the Supreme Court

Part 3

encouraged

showed support for

Part 4

“voluntary” initiatives

programs or steps taken willingly without being forced by law

Part 5

by States

introduced by different state governments in India

Sentence 5 of 18

English Original

In Odisha, women government employees up to the age of 55 can take an additional day of leave each month, while Kerala grants menstrual leave to female trainees in ITIs and universities.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In Odisha

In the Indian state of Odisha

Part 2

women government employees up to the age of 55

female workers in government jobs who are 55 years old or younger

Part 3

can take

are allowed to use

Part 4

an additional day of leave

one extra holiday

Part 5

each month

every single month

Part 6

while

at the same time or whereas

Part 7

Kerala

the state government of Kerala

Part 8

grants

officially gives or allows

Part 9

menstrual leave

time off for periods

Part 10

to female in ITIs and universities

for young women studying in technical training institutes and colleges

Context and Background

ITI

Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) are government-run training organizations in India that provide technical education and vocational training to students.

Sentence 6 of 18

English Original

Karnataka issued an order that entitles women in the public and private sectors up to the age of 52 to a day’s menstrual leave a month, raising concerns whether private establishments might be disincentivised from hiring women.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Karnataka

The state government of Karnataka

Part 2

issued

officially sent out or published

Part 3

an order that women in the public and private sectors up to the age of 52 to a day’s menstrual leave a month

a rule that gives women under 52 working in both government and private companies the right to take one day off for their period every month

Part 4

raising concerns whether private establishments might be from hiring women

creating worries that private companies could be discouraged from employing women because of this extra leave requirement

Sentence 7 of 18

English Original

This government order has been challenged in the High Court.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This government order

The new rule made by the Karnataka government

Part 2

has been

has been formally questioned or opposed

Part 3

in the High Court

at the state’s highest court

Sentence 8 of 18

English Original

Such changes must come with safeguards, and the top court rightly suggested that the government come up with a menstrual leave policy in consultation with stakeholders — as it had done in 2024 as well.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Such changes

These kinds of new rules

Part 2

must come

should be introduced

Part 3

with

along with protections to prevent misuse or negative effects

Part 4

and

plus

Part 5

the top court

the Supreme Court

Part 6

rightly

correctly

Part 7

suggested

advised or proposed

Part 8

that the government come up with a menstrual leave policy in with — as it had done in 2024 as well

that the government should create a period leave rule after discussing it with all involved parties, just like they did in 2024

Sentence 9 of 18

English Original

Many women face debilitating menstrual pain and conditions such as endometriosis, PCOD and PCOS.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Many women

A large number of females

Part 2

face

experience or have to deal with

Part 3

menstrual pain and conditions such as endometriosis, PCOD and PCOS

severe period cramps that make it hard to function, and medical issues like endometriosis, PCOD, and PCOS which affect the reproductive system

Context and Background

Endometriosis, PCOD, and PCOS

These are common health conditions affecting women. Endometriosis involves tissue similar to the lining of the uterus growing outside it, causing severe pain. PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) are hormonal disorders causing irregular periods and other symptoms.

Sentence 10 of 18

English Original

But the Court’s reasoning rests on another, more universal reality: women are already disadvantaged at work, facing systemic barriers such as unequal pay.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

But

However

Part 2

the Court’s reasoning

the logic or explanation behind the Supreme Court’s decision

Part 3

rests

is based

Part 4

on another, more universal reality

on a different truth that affects people everywhere

Part 5

women

female workers

Part 6

are already

are currently in a weaker or less favorable position

Part 7

at work

in their jobs or offices

Part 8

facing such as unequal pay

having to deal with deep-rooted obstacles built into the system, like being paid less than men for the same work

Sentence 11 of 18

English Original

In this context, mandatory menstrual leave could become a form of biological determinism, limiting opportunities, pay and promotions for women.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In this context

Considering this situation

Part 2

menstrual leave

a law that forces workplaces to give period time-off

Part 3

could become

might turn into

Part 4

a form of

a way of judging and restricting women based purely on their physical biology rather than their actual skills

Part 5

limiting opportunities, pay and promotions for women

reducing the chances for females to get good jobs, better salaries, and higher positions

Sentence 12 of 18

English Original

In countries where menstrual leave policies exist, they are either poorly enforced or are not opted for by most women.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In countries where menstrual leave policies exist

In nations that already have rules for period leave

Part 2

they

those rules or leave policies

Part 3

are either poorly

are not properly implemented by the authorities

Part 4

or else

Part 5

are not

are not chosen or taken

Part 6

by most women

by the majority of female workers

Sentence 13 of 18

English Original

In Spain, legislation enacted in 2023, and hailed as “… historic … for feminist progress”, saw few women exercising the right a year later.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In Spain

In the European country of Spain

Part 2

in 2023, and as “… historic … for progress”

laws passed in 2023 that were celebrated as a major step forward for women’s rights

Part 3

saw

experienced or resulted in

Part 4

few women

not many female workers

Part 5

exercising the right

actually using this leave

Part 6

a year later

after one year had passed

Context and Background

Spain

In February 2023, Spain became the first European country to pass a law granting paid menstrual leave for women suffering from severe period pain. The law was widely praised globally as a progressive move for women’s rights.

Sentence 14 of 18

English Original

In Zambia, some women said it was being misused.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In Zambia

In the African country of Zambia

Part 2

some women

a few female employees

Part 3

said

stated or reported

Part 4

it was being

that the period leave policy was being taken advantage of for the wrong reasons

Context and Background

Zambia

Zambia has a law known informally as Mother’s Day, which grants women one day of leave per month without needing a medical certificate. Reports suggest sometimes it causes administrative challenges or is taken for non-health reasons.

Sentence 15 of 18

English Original

In India, the female Labour Force Participation Rate rose from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24, driven largely by rural women entering work due to distress, insecure employment and unpaid household work.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In India

Within India

Part 2

the female

the percentage of working-age women who are either employed or actively looking for jobs

Part 3

rose

went up or increased

Part 4

from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24

from around 23 out of 100 women in 2017-18 to almost 42 out of 100 in 2023-24

Part 5

largely by rural women entering work due to , insecure employment and unpaid household work

caused mainly by women in villages taking up jobs because of financial struggles, unstable job conditions, and having to do unpaid chores at home

Sentence 16 of 18

English Original

In this context, a blanket menstrual leave policy could be counterproductive: many women cannot afford to lose workdays, and in informal jobs, it may also be unenforceable.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In this context

Considering these facts

Part 2

a menstrual leave policy

a single strict rule for period leave that applies to everyone across all jobs

Part 3

could be

might turn out to be

Part 4

having the opposite effect of what is intended

Part 5

many women

a large number of female workers

Part 6

cannot afford to lose

are not in a financial position to miss

Part 7

workdays

days of earning money at work

Part 8

and

plus

Part 9

in informal jobs

in unorganized sectors like domestic work, agriculture, or street vending where there are no strict contracts

Part 10

the leave policy

Part 11

may also be

might also turn out to be

Part 12

impossible to actually apply or implement properly

Sentence 17 of 18

English Original

Providing free sanitary products and medicines at workplaces and allowing time off under existing leave provisions would be a way forward.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Providing free sanitary products and medicines at workplaces and allowing time off under existing leave

Giving out pads and painkillers without charge at the office and letting women use their regular medical or casual holidays for period pain

Part 2

would be

is likely

Part 3

a way forward

a better and more practical solution to the problem

Sentence 18 of 18

English Original

That would be an acknowledgement of biological realities without turning such well-intentioned but poorly thought-out initiatives into yet another barrier to women’s participation.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

That

This suggested alternative approach

Part 2

would be

would serve as

Part 3

an of biological realities

a respectful recognition of the genuine physical challenges women face during their periods

Part 4

without turning such but poorly thought-out initiatives into yet another to women’s participation

while avoiding the mistake of making laws that are meant to help, but are so badly planned that they actually stop women from getting jobs or succeeding at work

Sentence 1 of 18

Sentences Breakdown

Editorial Summary

5-Point Summary

1 When considering work-related needs like menstrual leave, it is crucial not to inadvertently reduce women’s employment opportunities.
2 The Supreme Court declined to mandate menstrual leave, warning it could unintentionally harm women’s careers and deny them major responsibilities.
3 While some states have introduced voluntary menstrual leave policies, there are concerns that private companies might be discouraged from hiring women.
4 Mandatory leave could worsen existing workplace disadvantages and act as a form of biological determinism that limits pay and promotions.
5 Instead of a blanket policy, providing sanitary products and allowing flexibility under existing leaves are more practical alternatives.

Tone of the Editorial

analytical

Why this tone?

The editorial examines the issue of mandatory menstrual leave from multiple perspectives without taking a rigid stance. It weighs both the intended benefits and the unintended negative consequences for women’s employment.

Sentence 1 of 18

When considering a measure to address a work-related need, care must be taken to ensure that it does not inadvertently reduce the employee’s opportunity to work.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

When considering a measure to address a work-related need

While thinking about a solution to fix a problem at the workplace

Part 2

care

serious attention or caution

Part 3

must be taken

is necessary or required

Part 4

to ensure that it does not inadvertently reduce the employee’s opportunity to work

to make sure it doesn’t accidentally lessen the chances for a worker to get employment or perform their duties

Sentence 2 of 18

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This

The idea that new policies shouldn’t harm women’s job chances

Part 2

was again made

became clear once more

Part 3

evident

obvious or easy to see

Part 4

on March 13

on the 13th of March

Part 5

when a two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, refused to entertain a petition seeking a law providing menstrual leave for women workers and students

at the time a pair of Supreme Court judges, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, decided not to consider a request for a new rule that would grant period leave to working women and school girls

Sentence 3 of 18

The Court cautioned that mandatory menstrual leave could unintentionally hinder women’s careers and deny them “big responsibilities”.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Court

The judges of the Supreme Court

Part 2

cautioned

gave a warning

Part 3

that mandatory menstrual leave could unintentionally hinder women’s careers and deny them “big responsibilities”

that forcing companies to give period leave might accidentally slow down women’s professional growth and stop them from getting major roles at work

Sentence 4 of 18

Instead, it encouraged “voluntary” initiatives by States.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Instead

As an alternative

Part 2

the Supreme Court

Part 3

encouraged

showed support for

Part 4

“voluntary” initiatives

programs or steps taken willingly without being forced by law

Part 5

by States

introduced by different state governments in India

Sentence 5 of 18

In Odisha, women government employees up to the age of 55 can take an additional day of leave each month, while Kerala grants menstrual leave to female trainees in ITIs and universities.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In Odisha

In the Indian state of Odisha

Part 2

women government employees up to the age of 55

female workers in government jobs who are 55 years old or younger

Part 3

can take

are allowed to use

Part 4

an additional day of leave

one extra holiday

Part 5

each month

every single month

Part 6

while

at the same time or whereas

Part 7

Kerala

the state government of Kerala

Part 8

grants

officially gives or allows

Part 9

menstrual leave

time off for periods

Part 10

to female trainees in ITIs and universities

for young women studying in technical training institutes and colleges

Sentence 6 of 18

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Karnataka

The state government of Karnataka

Part 2

issued

officially sent out or published

Part 3

an order that entitles women in the public and private sectors up to the age of 52 to a day’s menstrual leave a month

a rule that gives women under 52 working in both government and private companies the right to take one day off for their period every month

Part 4

raising concerns whether private establishments might be disincentivised from hiring women

creating worries that private companies could be discouraged from employing women because of this extra leave requirement

Sentence 7 of 18

This government order has been challenged in the High Court.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This government order

The new rule made by the Karnataka government

Part 2

has been challenged

has been formally questioned or opposed

Part 3

in the High Court

at the state’s highest court

Sentence 8 of 18

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Such changes

These kinds of new rules

Part 2

must come

should be introduced

Part 3

with safeguards

along with protections to prevent misuse or negative effects

Part 4

and

plus

Part 5

the top court

the Supreme Court

Part 6

rightly

correctly

Part 7

suggested

advised or proposed

Part 8

that the government come up with a menstrual leave policy in consultation with stakeholders — as it had done in 2024 as well

that the government should create a period leave rule after discussing it with all involved parties, just like they did in 2024

Sentence 9 of 18

Many women face debilitating menstrual pain and conditions such as endometriosis, PCOD and PCOS.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Many women

A large number of females

Part 2

face

experience or have to deal with

Part 3

debilitating menstrual pain and conditions such as endometriosis, PCOD and PCOS

severe period cramps that make it hard to function, and medical issues like endometriosis, PCOD, and PCOS which affect the reproductive system

Sentence 10 of 18

But the Court’s reasoning rests on another, more universal reality: women are already disadvantaged at work, facing systemic barriers such as unequal pay.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

But

However

Part 2

the Court’s reasoning

the logic or explanation behind the Supreme Court’s decision

Part 3

rests

is based

Part 4

on another, more universal reality

on a different truth that affects people everywhere

Part 5

women

female workers

Part 6

are already disadvantaged

are currently in a weaker or less favorable position

Part 7

at work

in their jobs or offices

Part 8

facing systemic barriers such as unequal pay

having to deal with deep-rooted obstacles built into the system, like being paid less than men for the same work

Sentence 11 of 18

In this context, mandatory menstrual leave could become a form of biological determinism, limiting opportunities, pay and promotions for women.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In this context

Considering this situation

Part 2

mandatory menstrual leave

a law that forces workplaces to give period time-off

Part 3

could become

might turn into

Part 4

a form of biological determinism

a way of judging and restricting women based purely on their physical biology rather than their actual skills

Part 5

limiting opportunities, pay and promotions for women

reducing the chances for females to get good jobs, better salaries, and higher positions

Sentence 12 of 18

In countries where menstrual leave policies exist, they are either poorly enforced or are not opted for by most women.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In countries where menstrual leave policies exist

In nations that already have rules for period leave

Part 2

they

those rules or leave policies

Part 3

are either poorly enforced

are not properly implemented by the authorities

Part 4

or else

Part 5

are not opted for

are not chosen or taken

Part 6

by most women

by the majority of female workers

Sentence 13 of 18

In Spain, legislation enacted in 2023, and hailed as “… historic … for feminist progress”, saw few women exercising the right a year later.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In Spain

In the European country of Spain

Part 2

legislation enacted in 2023, and hailed as “… historic … for feminist progress”

laws passed in 2023 that were celebrated as a major step forward for women’s rights

Part 3

saw

experienced or resulted in

Part 4

few women

not many female workers

Part 5

exercising the right

actually using this leave

Part 6

a year later

after one year had passed

Sentence 14 of 18

In Zambia, some women said it was being misused.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In Zambia

In the African country of Zambia

Part 2

some women

a few female employees

Part 3

said

stated or reported

Part 4

it was being misused

that the period leave policy was being taken advantage of for the wrong reasons

Sentence 15 of 18

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In India

Within India

Part 2

the female Labour Force Participation Rate

the percentage of working-age women who are either employed or actively looking for jobs

Part 3

rose

went up or increased

Part 4

from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24

from around 23 out of 100 women in 2017-18 to almost 42 out of 100 in 2023-24

Part 5

driven largely by rural women entering work due to distress, insecure employment and unpaid household work

caused mainly by women in villages taking up jobs because of financial struggles, unstable job conditions, and having to do unpaid chores at home

Sentence 16 of 18

In this context, a blanket menstrual leave policy could be counterproductive: many women cannot afford to lose workdays, and in informal jobs, it may also be unenforceable.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In this context

Considering these facts

Part 2

a blanket menstrual leave policy

a single strict rule for period leave that applies to everyone across all jobs

Part 3

could be

might turn out to be

Part 4

counterproductive

having the opposite effect of what is intended

Part 5

many women

a large number of female workers

Part 6

cannot afford to lose

are not in a financial position to miss

Part 7

workdays

days of earning money at work

Part 8

and

plus

Part 9

in informal jobs

in unorganized sectors like domestic work, agriculture, or street vending where there are no strict contracts

Part 10

the leave policy

Part 11

may also be

might also turn out to be

Part 12

unenforceable

impossible to actually apply or implement properly

Sentence 17 of 18

Providing free sanitary products and medicines at workplaces and allowing time off under existing leave provisions would be a way forward.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Providing free sanitary products and medicines at workplaces and allowing time off under existing leave provisions

Giving out pads and painkillers without charge at the office and letting women use their regular medical or casual holidays for period pain

Part 2

would be

is likely

Part 3

a way forward

a better and more practical solution to the problem

Sentence 18 of 18

That would be an acknowledgement of biological realities without turning such well-intentioned but poorly thought-out initiatives into yet another barrier to women’s participation.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

That

This suggested alternative approach

Part 2

would be

would serve as

Part 3

an acknowledgement of biological realities

a respectful recognition of the genuine physical challenges women face during their periods

Part 4

without turning such well-intentioned but poorly thought-out initiatives into yet another barrier to women’s participation

while avoiding the mistake of making laws that are meant to help, but are so badly planned that they actually stop women from getting jobs or succeeding at work

Reading Comprehension

Practice questions based on this editorial

Reading Comprehension - Menstrual Leave Policies

Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about menstrual leave policies.

5 Questions Passing: 70%

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Editorial Categories

Politics and Governance 7 Economy 7 International Relations 2 Science and Technology 2 Environment 3 Society 0 Security 1 Infrastructure and Energy 2 Media and Communication 1 Miscellaneous 7

Vocabulary Feeds

Challenging Vocabulary 151 Idioms and Phrases 108 Phrasal Verbs 52

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