Innovative Step: Punjab University Introduces Menstrual Leave for Female Students

Punjab University Implements "Menstruation Benefit" for Female Students

Punjab University has offered a “menstruation benefit” for its female students. They have become the first university in the region to offer menstrual leave to female students. Renu Vig, vice chancellor of PU has granted the proposal, and the policy will be implemented in the upcoming semesters for academic session 2024-2025. They are now in anticipation of approval from the university senate which will be taking the final call.

The Dean of University Instruction (DUI) issued a circular regarding the same on April 10. It is also worth mentioning that although the leaves will be granted, there are terms and conditions for the same. The official notification states, that students can take one day of leave ‘per calendar month of teaching’, where teaching has taken place for at least 15 days. It also mentioned that only four maximum leaves per semester are allowed for the students, and the leaves will be limited to teaching days. Students will not be able to avail of these leaves during any examinations.

Students will be required to fill out a form at the department office to avail the menstrual leaves. Leave application must be applied within five working days of the student’s absence. The menstrual benefit may be permitted by the chairperson or director of the department, and it will be granted based on self-certification by the student.

The VC of the university had formed a committee under the DUI to look into the matter and had their first meeting in January. The PUCSC general secretary Deepak Goyat and PUCSC vice president Ranmeekjot Kaur had opposed this move in the meeting. To support the move, the president submitted proposals from six universities that already had this system in place. Later, a sub-committee was formed on February 15 to study the proposals and draft a policy for the university.

Meanwhile, Kerala’s Cochin University of Science and Technology was the first ever university in the country to provide menstrual leave for female students in January 2023. The Department of Higher Education’s Kerala government also declared that they will provide menstrual leave in all state-run universities. Other universities that offer menstrual leave include NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, Guwahati University in Assam, and Tezpur University, Assam. 

Editor’s Note:

Punjab University acknowledged the fact the menstrual cycle can be uncomfortable and makes carrying out day-to-day tasks difficult and hence proposed the provision of menstrual leave, which is commendable. The initiative was also taken by Kerala’s Cochin University of Science and Technology, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, Guwahati University in Assam, and Tezpur University, Assam and Skoobuzz appreciate the efforts taken to acknowledge the discomfort women face and would also nudge other institutions and organizations to keep similar provisions.