SFI lauds Cochin University, urges Kerala govt to allow menstrual leave in all state universities

NEW DELHI: Students’ Federation of India (SFI) lauded Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) for sanctioning an additional 2 percent of attendance concession to female students in each semester.

Cochin University has become the first in India to grant menstrual leave to students. Previously, the university only allowed students with a minimum of 75% attendance to write their exams. However, the students union had recently requested the CUSAT Vice Chancellor for “menstrual benefits” and got approval to reduce the attendance requirement for students who menstruate to 73%.

A 2% attendance concession has been granted to girls in every semester. “This will benefit over 4,000 women students studying in the university. The students’ union, led by 2 women has fulfilled their promise of menstrual leave within two months of coming to office,” the official statement read.

“This is a victory for the students’ movement in the university and a step towards making university spaces women-friendly. At a time when the world is only starting to accept the concept of menstrual leave, this will be a big step in ensuring that no woman is left behind due to menstruation,” the students union said.

The SFI state committee had also requested the Kerala education ministry to extend the practice of menstrual leave to other universities in the state. It further said that the government is set to implement the attendance concession in all universities in the state.

Kerala higher education minister R Bindu recently said the government has decided to implement menstrual leave in all state universities under the purview of the department. The minister also stated: "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."