All Kerala universities to grant students menstrual leave

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Monday said all female students in all state universities under the Department of Higher Education will be granted menstrual leave. Higher Education Minister R Bindu said the government was inspired by the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT)'s move to do the same.

"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 wrote on Facebook. The minister also praised the CUSAT's decision and noted that it was for the first time in Kerala that an educational centre has given menstrual leave to students.

CUSAT considered the long-pending demand after the SFI-led students' union pressed the matter. Minister Bindu also praised the students' union for taking up the matter. "It is most gratifying to see the success of the student leadership and the university leadership working together to create a befitting continuation of the ongoing women empowerment activities initiated by the Department of Higher Education."

"Let the girls relax during the difficult days of their menstrual cycle," said the minister. CUSAT has over 8,000 students and over 50% of them are women. On January 11, the varsity announced that it has sanctioned an additional 2% condonation of shortage of attendance to female students.