Doctor Shimna Azeez, BJP leader R Sreelekha.
Kozhikode: In Kerala’s menstrual leave for school girls debate, a doctor has surfaced strongly defending the demand, pushing back against arguments that such a provision is unnecessary, calling for greater recognition of the physical difficulties many students face during menstruation.
The intervention came from doctor and writer Shimna Azeez, who responded through a social media video to remarks made by BJP leader and former IPS officer R Sreelekha. Challenging claims that menstrual leave is unwarranted, Azeez argued that many girls experience severe abdominal pain, back pain and other symptoms that can make attending classes and carrying out routine activities extremely difficult.
Pointing to the declining age at which menstruation begins, she noted that even students in upper primary classes may be affected. In such circumstances, she said, rest should be treated as a legitimate need rather than an undeserved privilege. Ignoring the physical realities of menstruation, she argued, places an unfair burden on children who are already coping with significant discomfort.
Azeez also criticised attitudes that frame menstruation through stigma, embarrassment or romanticised notions of womanhood. Menstruation, she said, is a natural biological process and should be approached with the same normality as other bodily functions. Treating it as a taboo subject only deepens misconceptions and prevents meaningful discussions about menstrual health.
Linking the debate to the broader issue of period shaming, she argued that many misconceptions persist because children are not provided with adequate scientific knowledge about reproductive health. She called for comprehensive sex education in schools so that both boys and girls can better understand menstruation and develop empathy toward those experiencing it.
Addressing concerns that menstrual leave could undermine attendance or discipline, Azeez maintained that such fears are overstated. Rather than worrying about misuse, she argued, schools should focus on creating supportive environments where students feel comfortable discussing menstrual health and receiving the care, understanding and flexibility they may require.