No Plans To Introduce Menstruation Leaves In Educational Institutions: Education Ministry

Answering a question in the Lok Sabha, the Minister of Education for State, Subhas Sarkar informed that the government has no proposal of introducing menstruation leave in educational institutions.

No Plans To Introduce Menstruation Leaves In Educational Institutions: Education Ministry ( Image Source :Ministry of Education )

The Ministry of Education has stated that there are no proposals of bringing on legislation to grant menstruation leaves in educational institutions. Union Minister of Education for State Subhas Sarkar informed about the government’s intent on the matter while responding to a question in the Lok Sabha. 

On the question of whether the government is mulling introducing a legislation to ensure menstruation leaves in educational institutions, the Union minister was quoted saying by PTI as "No such proposal is under consideration in the ministry."

Further in his response, the minister also underlined that the UGC has already introduced a brief set of guidelines to ensure basic amenities that build up a safe and secure environment for women and women cell (sensitization, policy implementation, monitoring and grievance redressal) in HEIs. 

Notably, the University Grants Commission’s guidelines ask all Higher Education Institutes or HEIs to ensure proper sanitation and hygiene facilities for women like well maintained, cleaned, and separate washrooms with 24x7 water supply. Moreover, the UGC guidelines also directs the HEI’s to equip these washrooms with sanitary pads, disposal bins, covered dustbins, vending machines, etc,. 

"The guidelines state that the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) should ensure easy access to basic sanitation and hygiene facilities for women such as clean, well-maintained and fully functioning separate restrooms equipped with 24 hours tap water supply, soap, covered dustbins, sanitary pad disposal bins and vending machines in all its buildings,” the Union Minister was further quoted saying by PTI. 

"There should be proper sanitary staff deployed to keep the facilities clean and usable at all times. The UGC has also issued an advisory to promote menstrual sanitation and proper disposal of menstrual waste by creating awareness, encouraging every woman to use eco-friendly incinerators and promoting research for a biodegradable alternative," he added,” Subhas Sarkar added further.