Political situation in Kenya

Nairobi introduces paid leave for menstrual cramps

In the Kenyan capital Nairobi, public sector women will be given two paid sick days each month for menstrual cramps, AP and The Independent report. The aim of the leave is to increase women's well-being and productivity.

The city's governor, Johnson Sakaja, is one of those who has pushed the proposal hardest. He says few people have been critical, although there have been concerns that the policy will discourage companies from hiring women.

- Women's rights are not something that reduces productivity - they are a factor that creates productivity. It is actually an investment in the workforce, Sakaja insists.

Johnson Sakaja believes that other regions in the country have contacted the capital to hear how the project is going.

"Hard to tell your boss you have menstrual cramps"

Nairobi's new menstrual policy is helping to break the stigma surrounding women's health problems. Marion Kapuya, 25, who works at the tax office in Nairobi, told the AP. Late last year, the capital became the first in the country to introduce two days of paid leave for menstrual cramps.

Marion Kapuya admits that in the past it was “difficult to tell your boss” that you had menstrual cramps and needed to take time off work. However, the new policy does not require employees to state a reason for calling in sick.

“Working with pain or discomfort can lead to mistakes or poorer performance,” explains Marion Kapuya.

Janet Opiata, the human resources manager in Nairobi, says the response to the policy has been very positive. Employees find it refreshing, and when they return to work, they perform better. At least 12 women in her department, including a senior manager, took the leave in February.