In a historic and progressive decision, the Kerala government announced it would grant menstrual leave for female students studying in all state universities functioning under the Department of Higher Education. The decision was uproariously welcomed by students.
The menstrual benefits were recently introduced by the autonomous Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), wherein it sanctioned an additional two per cent condonation of shortage of attendance to female students, in each semester thus bringing the mandatory attendance for menstruators from 75 to 73 per cent.
The CUSAT's decision arrived following a representation made by the SFI-led students' union of the university.
According to the Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice, R Bindu, the government has decided to implement the same in all state universities.
"Taking into consideration the mental and physical difficulties faced by female students during menstruation, necessary steps will be taken to implement menstrual leave in all universities," she said in a Facebook post.
Bindu added that menstrual periods are days of emotional roller coaster for many. "Let the girls relax during the difficult days of their menstrual cycle," she said.
The order would be applicable to female students of all streams, including those pursuing PhD, in the university and is expected to be implemented with immediate effect.