Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has announced ‘Project Menstrual Dignity’ with the aim of making educational institutions and public spaces in the state more women-friendly. As part of the initiative, girl students will be allowed up to three days of menstrual leave every month. The government also said special weekend “catch-up classes” will be arranged to ensure students who take menstrual leave do not fall behind in studies.

The government further announced that women working in the unorganised sector will be guaranteed six months of maternity leave, while equal pay at workplaces will also be implemented. Besides, all establishments employing more than 50 women workers will be required to set up day-care centres and crèches.

Alongside efforts to make the state more women-friendly, the policy declaration also outlines an ambitious plan to transform Kerala into India’s first “orphan-free state.” For this, mission-mode adoption campaigns and a network of trained foster families will be created.

The policy declaration also states that free travel for women in KSRTC buses will be made a permanent right, and college-going girls will receive a monthly educational assistance of Rs 1,000.