Nairobi’s county government has taken a step that is rare in public service across Africa, approving two menstrual health days each month for women working at City Hall.
The decision was reached this week during a County Cabinet meeting chaired by Governor Johnson Sakaja. It formally brings menstrual health into the county’s human resource policy, an area long overlooked in many workplaces.
County officials say the move is about recognising a reality many women quietly manage at work.
Menstrual pain, particularly dysmenorrhoea, affects a large share of working women. Research cited in the cabinet brief estimates that between 65 and 80 per cent of women experience menstrual pain, with some reporting symptoms severe enough to limit concentration and performance.
Women make up more than half of Nairobi County’s workforce. Officials argue that ignoring menstrual health has often led to presenteeism, staff showing up unwell and, over time, weaker service delivery.
“Until now, women were expected to work through discomfort because the policy framework simply did not acknowledge it,” a senior county official said after the meeting.
Under the new arrangement, female staff will be entitled to two menstrual health days each month. The days will be structured, confidential and will not affect performance reviews or career progression. The county says the policy will not place additional strain on its wage bill.
Implementation will be overseen by the Public Service Management unit alongside the County Public Service Board. Departments will receive guidelines, while awareness sessions will be rolled out to managers and staff. Measures are also planned to ensure essential services continue through shift swaps and relief rosters.
Supporters of the policy say it aligns with broader commitments to gender equality, decent work and inclusive governance. Even modest gains in productivity, the cabinet paper argues, could offset time lost to untreated menstrual pain.
The move places Nairobi alongside a small but growing group of governments that have adopted menstrual leave. Japan and South Korea provide for one day a month under labour law. Indonesia allows two days at the start of menstruation, while Spain introduced paid menstrual leave in 2023.
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