THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Three-day menstrual leave for school girls is among the women- and child-friendly initiatives planned by the UDF government in Kerala, besides ensuring that all workplaces with more than 50 employees provide safe and quality daycare centers and crèches.
Women and child-friendly initiatives were part of the policy speech of the new VD Satheesan-led government, which was read out by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlikar in the state Assembly on Friday.
“Our commitment to female students is reflected in the ‘Menstruation Dignity’ project, under which we intend to make educational institutions and public spaces girl- and women-friendly.
“My government also plans to announce a monthly leave of up to three days for schoolgirls, along with make-up classes on weekends, so that these girls do not fall behind in their studies,” the governor said in the letter.
He said the government proposes to establish child care rules, as stipulated in the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, ensuring that all public offices, industrial enterprises, IT parks and all institutions with more than 50 employees run safe and quality daycare centers and crèches.
The Governor said that under the Destitute and Orphan-Free Kerala initiative, the government plans to strengthen adoption drives and build a network of trained, well-paid foster families based on the Juvenile Justice Act, with the aim of making Kerala the first “orphan-free” state in India.
“My government will transform Kerala into the most woman-friendly state in the country. Steps will be taken to implement equal pay for women at workplaces. Public toilet facilities will be arranged in all major cities across Kerala,” he said.
The governor said that special benefits will be given to women working in the unorganized sector, and a six-month maternity leave will be granted to women working in the unorganized sector.
He added, “Steps will be taken to provide sanitary pads, shoes and other necessities to women.”
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