Scotland becomes first country in the world to introduce menstrual break policy in karate competition Scotland has become the first country in the world to introduce a formal menstrual break policy in karate competition, in a move expected to influence governing bodies across world sport.
The Scottish Karate Governing Body (SKGB) has approved a new rule allowing athletes, officials and coaches who menstruate to request dedicated menstrual-related breaks during competition. The policy, which came into force in November, provides competitors with up to 10 minutes to change their karate gi if menstrual blood becomes visible during or between bouts.
Under previous World Karate Federation (WKF) regulations, athletes were typically given two minutes to change a blood-stained gi – a rule designed for injuries rather than menstruation. The new Scottish policy formally recognises that menstrual bleeding is not comparable to an injury and may require more time to manage safely and with dignity. The policy was developed by Dr Chloe Maclean, Director of Women and Girls’ Interests at Karate Scotland and Lecturer in Sociology at the University of the West of Scotland. Menstruating officials and coaches will also be entitled to breaks, with regular 3–4 hour rotations recommended to reduce the likelihood of emergency requests.
Dr Maclean said:
“Menstruation affects a significant proportion of athletes, yet most sports policies still treat menstrual bleeding as either invisible or as a disciplinary issue when it becomes visible. “We believe this is the first policy globally to explicitly recognise menstruation within competition rules and to make practical provision for it. Our aim is to support full participation and remove the stigma that still surrounds menstrual health in sport.”
It is hoped that this new policy will attract interest from other sports where white or light-coloured kits are standard, including tennis, cricket and athletics.
In recent years, several female tennis players have publicly voiced concerns over wearing white during menstruation, yet no comparable competition-level policy currently exists in global tennis or other major sports. In 2023, female players at Wimbledon were able to wear coloured shorts and underwear for the first time and at the Women’s World Cup in the same year, several national teams, including England, switched their traditional white shorts for darker options. While these changes have been widely welcomed, they are still only optional with some legal experts arguing that genuine accommodation of menstruation is not just good practice but a requirement under the Equality Act 2010.
Paul Giannandrea, Chair of Karate Scotland, said:
“As a governing body we have a responsibility to ensure our sport is inclusive and responsive to the realities faced by athletes. “This world-first policy shows Scotland is leading the way in recognising menstrual health as a core part of athlete welfare. We hope it encourages other sports to follow suit.”
The SKGB will apply the policy across all authorised competitions in Scotland, including kumite and kata events. It is hoped that this change will not only normalise discussion of menstrual health but also ensure athletes are not penalised or embarrassed during high-pressure competitions.
Notes: Karate Scotland issued the “Periods and Karate” report by Dr Chloe Maclean who also completed research into the impact of periods on women and girls in karate, the key findings of which were that:
• 72% of respondents have missed a karate class due to their period, with 16% missing karate classes almost every period;
• 64% felt that their enjoyment of karate slightly worsens when on their period and 15% felt that it significantly worsens;
• a key factor impacting attendance and enjoyment was worries about leaking blood onto the karate suit – 95% of respondents worried about this, with 43% worrying about leaking at every class;
• 61% had experienced leaking blood onto their clothing at karate; and
• 2% felt supported when they had leaked blood.
“The experience left women feeling embarrassed, and worried that others in the karate classes – particularly men/ boys – might feel uncomfortable or disgusted.”
About Karate Scotland
The Scottish Karate Governing Body is the national governing body for karate in Scotland and is responsible for overseeing competition, regulation, athlete welfare and development.
About University of the West of Scotland
University of the West of Scotland has been named The Times and The Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year for Social Inclusion 2026 and is one of Scotland’s largest modern universities. Our reach across the south and west of Scotland, together with our London campus, means that UWS is a significant force in global knowledge creation, innovation, and a leading provider of undergraduate, postgraduate and research degree education. Our degrees provide students with a transformational experience, resulting in highly sought-after graduates in world-leading sectors, industries and businesses. UWS’s employer-focused degrees align with business, community, third sector, government and international priorities, and provide the perfect springboard to create economic benefits across Scotland, the UK and beyond. With cutting-edge courses, modern pedagogy and practical knowledge, we enable our students and staff to experience the joy of learning, teaching, research and innovation, and apply their knowledge for the benefit of others.
