From silence to policy, Kerala’s menstrual leave debate marks a shift towards dignity, inclusion and recognising women’s health in education…writes Shelja Pallath
Menstruation is a common biological experience for every woman, but the cramps, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and discomfort are never the same for any woman. For years, even generations, schoolgirls have experienced these in silence or secrecy in their classrooms. One of the main concerns during menstruation was the telltale stain on the back of the uniforms. Many girls often used dupattas to cover it, used safety pins to keep everything hidden from others.Girls who grow-up without hearing the words like ‘impure’ during periods are very rare in the 90’s and early 2000s, and some limited number of cases there even in this progressive era too. In whatever era we live, people understand that a menstruating girl or woman may feel tired and need rest.
Menstrual leave is always a topic of discussion and it has long been polarised in Indian society. Whether it’s for girls or working women, how their health concerns are recognised in society remains a continuing debate. Kerala’s new government proposal for menstrual leave has already sparked debate between the supporters of progressiveness and the critics raising concerns over privacy and its implications.
Last March, one of the top courts in India rejected a petition seeking menstrual leave for working women and female students. Now, the UDF government in Kerala has decided to provide three days of menstrual leave per month to school students. The initiative, named ‘Project Menstrual Dignity’, aims to make educational institutions and public spaces friendly for girls and women.
Kerala’s approach is being watched closely because the debate goes beyond labour rights or political ideology. It raises a basic question: how should education systems respond to students’ health needs? It is not just about ‘leave’ but about how it recognize a biological reality at the intersection of learning and practice. Kerala’s move has drawn attention because few states have attempted similar measures at the school leaves as this policy is rooted in student well-being.
In 2023, Kerala extended menstrual leave to female students in state universities, and later to women trainees in Industrial Training Institutes. Going forward, policymakers will need to evaluate three things: whether students actually use the provision, whether attendance relaxations affect academic performance, and whether stigma decreases over time when absence is normalised.
The success of this policy can’t be measured by the number of students taking leave but by whether fewer girls feel forced to hide their pain in classrooms. Menstrual health is not merely an attendance issue; it is directly connected to education, engagement and dignity.
A generation ago women learned to hide menstruation and the discussions on it now happen in the policy rooms.The journey from silence to recognition has been long, but social attitudes must evolve alongside official decisions.
Menstrual leave is not just about a few days away from school or work. It is about creating a system where women are not expected to silently endure discomfort while pursuing education and opportunities. The real achievement will come when menstruation is treated not as a source of embarrassment, but as a natural part of life that deserves understanding and respect.
