Women leaders from the BJP and IUML have criticized the UDF government's proposal to grant up to three days of menstrual leave a month for schoolgirls in Kerala.
BJP councillor R Sreelekha expressed concerns that the proposal could invade the privacy of schoolgirls, while IUML leader Noorbina Rasheed warned that it could lead to mental despair.
General education minister N Shamsudheen clarified that the leave is optional and designed to help girls during physically demanding times.
Instead of menstrual leave, some have suggested providing clean toilets, sanitary napkin vending machines, and access to pain-relieving medication.
