Nigerian startup Klasha becomes first tech company to implement menstrual leave policy

Klasha, which provides multiple products for the cross-border commerce space in Africa, claims that the move is motivated by the need to empower its female employees who make up half of its permanent team.

They also claim that the move will help alienate taboos around periods to recognize the physical discomforts menstruation can cause on women.

Menstrual leave is a type of leave where a person may have the option to take paid or unpaid leave from their employment during their menstruation period.

In a statement seen by TechCabal from Klasha CEO Jess Anuna, the policy will allow its women employees to opt out of work for five days and will be subject to an evaluation in future days. 

“At Klasha, we understand that we must make room for women’s biological needs as a part of everyday business. Rather than leave the subject as an unspoken taboo, we want to build a culture of trust, truth, and acceptance," reads part of the statement.

Klasha already provides its employees with statutory annual and sick leaves.

They join a myriad of companies that allow their female employees menstrual leaves with some based in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, India and Zambia.

Klasha was founded in 2019 and launched in 2021. Their primary objective is to solve payment issues African merchants and consumers face when they pay for products online via different payment methods.