Kochi: Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has announced menstruation leave for its girl students. This is a first in higher education institutions in Kerala and comes close on the heels of maternity leave allowed by the Mahatma Gandhi University to students.

The decision of CUSAT will enable students to overcome hassles over low attendance. As of now, the students who have 75 per cent attendance only can appear for the examinations. With new provision, girl students will get 2 per cent additional leave in every semester.

 "Having considered the requests for menstruation benefits to female students, the Vice-Chancellor has ordered to sanction an additional 2% of condonation of shortage of attendance to female students, in each semester, subject to reporting to the Academic Council," an order issued by the joint registrar said.

According to university sources, various students' unions had been pressing for the menstruation benefit for female students for some time now. A proposal in this regard was formally submitted to the Vice Chancellor recently and it was approved following which an order was issued.

The norm is that if the student’s attendance is low, a request must be given to the Vice Chancellor and a medical certificate must be produced citing the reason for leave. However, menstruation leave does not require a medical certificate; it only needs a leave application.

Earlier, the Kottayam-based Mahatma Gandhi University allowed 60 days of maternity leave for students.