WINGS #07-26 Period Politics- Gains, losses and celebrations, in India and elsewhere

In January 2026, India's Supreme Court declared the right to menstrual health and hygiene to be fundamental, under Article 21 of India's Constitution.  But in March, it rejected a petition for a national menstrual leave policy. Their reasoning?   "No one will hire women." Some Indian companies and states have instituted menstrual leave over the years; but discussions online suggest taking the leave can be a liability. A lot of men can't bear to have menstruation mentioned; so, many women prefer not calling attention to their condition.

 

There is, however, one state in India where menstruation is publicly celebrated, with a raucous annual holiday for women and girls, around the middle of June.  Kalpana Pradhan covered both that and menstrual political activism for WINGS.