Female students of Punjab University (PU) in Chandigarh can now avail of the “menstruation benefit.” Through this initiative, PU became the first university in the region to offer menstrual leave to female students. The vice chancellor of Punjab University, Renu Vig, has granted the proposal, and the leaves will be implemented in the upcoming semesters for the academic session 2024–25 in anticipation of approval from the university senate that will take the final call, reported Hindustan Times.
A circular regarding the same was issued on Wednesday, April 10, by the dean of university instruction (DUI) Rumina Sethi. Students should note that while the menstrual leave will be granted, terms and conditions have also been attached to it.
As per the official notification, students can take one day of leave ‘per calendar month of teaching’, where teaching has taken place for at least 15 days. Moreover, the notification further mentioned that the students will be allowed to take a maximum of four such leaves per semester, with the leave days limited to teaching days.
In addition to that, the leaves will not be admissible during any examinations, whether mid-semester or end-semester exams, internal or external, or even for practical examinations.
It is important to note that the students will have to fill out a form at the department office to avail themselves of menstrual leave. Furthermore, the leave 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.
According to the Hindustan Times, VC of Punjab University had formed a committee to look into the matter under the dean of university instruction (DUI). The committee’s first meeting was conducted on January 24, when PUCSC general secretary Deepak Goyat and PUCSC vice president Ranmeekjot Kaur opposed the move. The president then submitted proposals from six universities where this system is already in place to support its move. After which, a sub-committee was constituted on February 15 to study these proposals and draft a policy for the university.
Meanwhile, Kerala’s Cochin University of Science and Technology was the first university in the country to provide menstrual leave to female students in January 2023. Notably, the Department of Higher Education’s Kerala government declared in January of 2023 that it will provide menstrual leave to female students enrolled in all state run university. Other universities that offer menstrual leave include NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, Guwahati University in Assam, and Tezpur University, Assam.
