KERALA: The "menstruation benefit" is now available to female students at a university in Kerala in the form of additional condonation of shortage of attendance. 

The renowned Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) here has approved an additional 2% of condonation of shortage of attendance o female students, in each semester, taking into consideration the students' long-standing request. More over half of the 8,000 students enrolled in CUSAT, an independent institution, are female.

According to a recent joint registrar order, "having taken into consideration 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."

Various student organisations have reportedly been pushing for the menstrual bonus for female students for some time, according to university sources. Recently, a proposal in this regard was formally presented to the Vice-Chancellor, who approved it before issuing an order.

The official stated that the rule would apply to female students in all academic programmes, including PhD students, and that it would go into force right away. The university students' union chair, Namitha George, expressed her satisfaction that the institution had complied with their request without objecting.

Recently, the Vice-Chancellor received a formal proposal from the CUSAT Students Union and other student organisations. After it was approved, an order was issued.

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