Menstrual Dignity Needs More Than Leave

Dr. Mathew Joys, Las Vegas

The Kerala government’s proposed “Project Menstrual Dignity,” which offers girl students three days of menstrual leave each month and weekend catch-up classes, has sparked widespread discussion. Presented as part of a broader vision to make Kerala the most women-friendly state in India, the proposal undoubtedly springs from a desire to address an issue that has long been overlooked in public policy.

No reasonable person would deny that menstruation can be physically challenging. For many girls and women, monthly periods bring pain, fatigue, discomfort, and emotional strain. Schools and colleges must acknowledge these realities and create environments where students can continue their education with dignity and support.

The real debate, however, is not whether menstruation deserves attention. It is whether recurring menstrual leave is the most effective way to provide that support.

For decades, menstruation has been treated as a natural part of life rather than a public issue. Girls attended schools, colleges, examinations, sports competitions, and cultural activities while managing a biological process that, though sometimes difficult, was rarely viewed as a barrier to participation. Many endured considerable discomfort without allowing it to define their capabilities.

This raises an important question: Does institutionalizing three days of leave every month strengthen girls by recognizing their needs, or does it risk reinforcing the perception that they are less able to participate fully in academic life?

The concern is not about acknowledging menstrual pain. It is about how policy shapes social attitudes.

In many communities, menstruation remains a private matter. A student who is absent for several days every month may inadvertently find her personal health information becoming the subject of speculation. What is intended as dignity could, in practice, become unwanted visibility.

Teenagers, unfortunately, are not always models of sensitivity. School environments can sometimes amplify differences rather than normalize them. A policy designed to empower girls should be examined carefully to ensure it does not unintentionally expose them to embarrassment, stereotyping, or casual ridicule.

There is also an educational dimension that deserves attention. Three days of leave per month add up to a significant amount of classroom time over the course of a year. While catch-up classes have been proposed, learning is not merely about attendance. Classroom discussions, interactions with teachers, group activities, and continuous engagement are difficult to replicate through occasional compensatory sessions.

The larger question, therefore, is whether the solution lies in removing students from the classroom or making the classroom more accommodating.

If the objective is menstrual dignity, schools and colleges should first ensure access to clean, hygienic toilets; adequate water facilities; sanitary napkin vending machines; disposal systems; restrooms; and basic medical support. Students experiencing severe menstrual pain should have access to temporary relief measures, counselling, and flexible attendance provisions when genuinely required.

Such interventions would support all girls without encouraging prolonged absences from learning. Policies that affect millions of students should be evaluated not only by their intentions but also by their outcomes. Good public policy empowers individuals to overcome challenges rather than adjusting expectations downward.

Menstrual dignity is an important goal. But dignity is not achieved simply by granting leave. It is achieved when girls have the facilities, support systems, and confidence to pursue their education without discomfort, stigma, or disadvantage.

Kerala has an opportunity to lead the nation in this conversation. The challenge is to ensure that the focus remains not on keeping girls away from classrooms, but on creating educational institutions where they never feel compelled to leave them in the first place.