As International Women’s Day 2025 approaches on March 8, a new report by Naukri.com has highlighted a major shift in workplace priorities for women professionals in India. While issues like equal pay and leadership opportunities remain important, a growing number of women are now advocating for menstrual leave as a crucial workplace benefit.
Growing Demand for Menstrual Leave
The report, titled ‘Women at Work’, found that 34% of women professionals now prioritize menstrual leave over other benefits. This demand is especially strong among early-career professionals, with Bangalore (20%) and Mumbai (13%) leading the movement.
Despite this rising demand, menstrual leave remains an unaddressed issue in most workplaces. While some companies like Zomato and Swiggy have introduced menstrual leave policies, the report revealed that 75% of women say their employers do not offer this benefit.
Menstrual Leave: A Global Trend
India is not alone in this discussion. In 2023, Spain became the first European country to legalize menstrual leave, allowing women to take up to three paid days off per month for severe period pain. This move set a precedent, making menstrual leave a key topic in global workplace policies.
Women’s Leadership Aspirations and Workplace Challenges
The report also highlights the strong leadership ambitions of women professionals, with 66% expressing a desire to take on leadership roles. However, many still face significant workplace challenges:
- 44% worry about work-life balance, especially those with 5-10 years of experience.
- 50% of women prefer hybrid or remote work, with companies like Microsoft and Citigroup adopting flexible work models to retain female talent.
Persistent Gender Pay Gap
While menstrual leave gains attention, pay disparity remains a serious issue. The report found that the gender pay gap widens at higher salary levels:
- 26% of women earning over ₹50 lakh per annum feel underpaid compared to male colleagues.
- In contrast, only 11% of women in the ₹2-5 LPA salary range report similar concerns.
- Cities like Mumbai (28%) and Bengaluru (27%) report the biggest pay gaps, particularly in the BFSI (28%) and FMCG (27%) sectors.
Some countries have already taken strict measures to ensure equal pay. Iceland, for example, has made it illegal for companies to pay men more than women for the same job. However, in India, one in four women professionals still believe equal pay is a distant goal.
What Women Want: Leadership Representation and Fair Policies
The report also highlights key gender equality measures that women professionals advocate for:
- 60% want equal (50:50) leadership representation.
- 20% call for gender-neutral parental leave.
- 29% of senior professionals (15+ years of experience) demand pay transparency.
Additionally, 33% of women cite bias in hiring and promotions as a major hurdle, while 35% say lack of leadership opportunities is a significant barrier to career growth.
A Shift in Workplace Priorities
The ‘Women at Work’ report makes it clear that menstrual leave is no longer just a niche demand—it is becoming a central issue in workplace inclusivity. As International Women’s Day 2025 approaches, companies are under growing pressure to rethink their policies and create a more supportive work environment for women.
