HNLU Raipur introduces menstrual leave policy for students

Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) Raipur has approved a menstrual leave policy for its students.

The proposal for the policy was put forth by the administration and approved by the Academic Council within a month.

As per a press release by the University, students can avail one leave per month during regular classes and have such concession during exams in case of suggested bedrest or hospitalisation.

"Students can claim one day of deemed attendance per calendar month during teaching days, and also will have such exceptions extended during examination days on verified requirements of bedrest due to such special needs," the release reads.

In addition to this, students with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and other menstrual disorders can claim attendance for 6 classes per subject, per semester.

Some of the other key provisions of this policy at HNLU are -

- Students will have to maintain the minimum attendance requirement of 65% inclusive of the menstrual leaves

- Unused Menstrual leaves cannot be carried forward in the subsequent months

- Students are expected to submit a form within 7 days of availing the leaves to the Student Welfare Officer to claim deemed attendance.

- The Student Welfare Officer will review complaints relating to denial of such leave or misuse of the provision by a student. The decision can be appealed to the competent authority within 5 working days

This policy is part of the broader HNLU Health Shield Initiative to promote a supportive academic environment.

Commenting on the initiative, Vice-Chancellor Prof VC Vivekanandan said,

“The implementation of the Menstrual Leave Policy marks understanding and facilitating the special needs of young women students at HNLU to support their academic pursuit and we thank the Academic Council for its support through such policy.”

Writing to Bar & Bench, Prof Vivekanandan further added,

"Menstruation as a taboo has come a long way and is now being understood as 'Nature's Equity'. This support is a gesture facilitating women to cope with standards of attendance and is based on a self-affidavit respecting privacy and to be handled by our Woman Student Welfare Officer. On other medical complications, it does require some verification to restrict any potential misuse. We do hope this policy gets wider recognition and acknowledgement to be reflected as a public policy with public and private enterprises to address the special needs of women '.

Speaking to Bar & Bench, Public Relations cum Student Welfare Officer Sangeeta Madan Rasaily Mishra shared,

"The policy was inspired by the initiative being taken at other law schools and was initiated by the administrative faculty about a month ago."

Recently MNLU Mumbai, MNLU Aurangabad and NLIU Bhopal introduced menstrual leave policies for its students. In the past year, DNLU Jabalpur, NALSAR Hyderabad and NLUJA Assam also introduced menstrual leave for their students.

[Read Policy here]