Christian leaders have hailed the move by a communist-led state government in India to introduce menstrual leave for female students in government-run higher education institutions.
They, however, were skeptical of the state government’s plan to provide 60 days maternity leave to students aged 18 and above in southern Kerala state.
“No doubt, the government’s decision to grant menstrual leave to college students is a highly appreciative move,” said Father Jacob G Palakkappilly, spokes-person of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC), the regional bishops’ forum.
The state’s higher education minister R Bindu announced the government order on Jan. 19.
She said the government order also allows a maximum of 60 days maternity leave to female students aged 18 and above.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reiterated in a social media post his government’s decision to ensure “gender fairness” in Kerala.
According to him, the decision would lead to a reduction of 2 percent in the mandatory com-pulsory attendance of 75 percent required for female students.
“It will be a big relief for female students who otherwise had no choice of seeking condonation of their absence from classes,” Father Palakkappilly told on January 23.