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The Nairobi County Government has approved a policy granting women employees two menstrual off days each month, formally integrating menstrual health support into the county’s human resource framework.
The decision was reached during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Governor Johnson Sakaja, which endorsed the inclusion of menstrual health provisions to enhance staff welfare and improve productivity.
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According to the policy memorandum, menstrual health challenges—especially dysmenorrhea—have a significant impact on women’s wellbeing and job performance. Research cited shows that between 65 and 80 per cent of women experience menstrual pain, with many reporting symptoms severe enough to affect their ability to work.
Women account for more than half of Nairobi County’s workforce, meaning the effects of untreated menstrual health issues are reflected in reduced productivity, increased presenteeism and weakened service delivery.
Previously, menstrual health was not addressed in the county’s HR policies, often leaving women with no option but to report to work while unwell. The new policy closes this gap by introducing two designated Menstrual Health Days per month, offering structured support without creating additional financial pressure on the county.
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The Cabinet paper notes that the policy is evidence-based and aligns with commitments to gender equality, decent work and inclusive governance. It adds that even small improvements in productivity would deliver meaningful benefits to the institution.
Implementation will be overseen by the Public Service Management subsector in partnership with the County Public Service Board. Clear guidelines and awareness initiatives will be rolled out across departments, with monitoring incorporated into existing HR and employee wellbeing systems.
Safeguards have been included to protect the privacy and dignity of female staff, ensuring confidentiality, no adverse impact on performance evaluations, and continuity of essential services through measures such as shift adjustments and relief rosters.
Several countries have similar policies in place, including Zambia, Japan and South Korea, where the law provides for one day of menstrual leave per month. Indonesia allows two statutory days, while Spain introduced a comparable policy in 2023.
