In a progressive move, Dharmashastra National Law University, located in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh, has brought forth a comforting news for its female students. The university has decided to grant leave to female students during their menstrual cycle, ensuring a stress-free academic environment.
Period Leave: A Step Towards Inclusivity
An official from the university shared this information last Friday, mentioning that the initiative has been started from the last month, during the ongoing 5-month long semester. This special leave during menstruation is aimed at promoting a more inclusive and comfortable learning environment for female students.
Dr. Shailesh N Hadli, the acting Vice-Chancellor of the Law University, mentioned that several students, along with the Student Bar Association, had been advocating for menstrual leave since last year. Considering their requests, the university, in consultation with the Dean of Student Welfare, decided to grant this leave from the current semester. These leaves will be part of the six leaves granted every semester for participating in cultural and other significant events.
Nationwide Demand for Period Leave
The demand for special period leave for working women and students has been rising across the country for quite some time. However, no decisive steps have been taken by the governments yet. Earlier this year, a Public Interest Litigation was filed in the Supreme Court, urging all state governments to formulate rules for leave during menstruation for students and working women. However, the Supreme Court declined to consider it, stating that it falls under the policy domain of the government.
Central Government’s Stance
Previously, the Central Government had also mentioned that it has not considered the provision of mandatory menstrual leave in all workplaces. Health State Minister Bharati Pravin Pawar, in a written reply in Lok Sabha, stated that menstruation is a natural physical occurrence.
Only a few women/girls suffer from severe discomfort or related complaints, and in most cases, medication is beneficial. She also mentioned that the government is implementing a scheme to promote menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls aged 10-19 years.
This scheme is supported by the National Health Mission through the State Program Implementation Plan (PIP) based on proposals received from states/union territories.
Important Information Table
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| University Name | Dharmashastra National Law University |
| Location | Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh |
| Initiative | Menstrual Leave for Female Students |
| Semester Duration | 5 Months |
| Leaves Granted | 6 leaves per semester (Including Menstrual Leave) |
| Nationwide Demand | Special Period Leave for Working Women and Students |
| Government Scheme | Menstrual Hygiene Promotion among Adolescent Girls |
FAQs
- When was the menstrual leave initiative started at Dharmashastra National Law University?
- The initiative was started from the last month during the ongoing 5-month long semester.
- How many leaves are granted to students every semester?
- Six leaves are granted every semester, which now includes menstrual leave.
- What was the Supreme Court’s stance on the nationwide demand for menstrual leave?
- The Supreme Court declined to consider the demand, stating it falls under the policy domain of the government.
- What is the Central Government’s position on mandatory menstrual leave?
- The Central Government has not considered the provision of mandatory menstrual leave in all workplaces, as per Health State Minister Bharati Pravin Pawar.
This initiative by Dharmashastra National Law University is indeed a step towards creating a more inclusive and empathetic academic environment, setting a precedent for other educational institutions to follow suit.
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