After granting path-breaking menstrual leave to its female students, the well-known Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has now offered its engineering students the choice of wearing gender-neutral uniforms.
CUSAT Introduces Gender Neutral Uniform Option for Engineering Students
In a recent order, the Vice-Chancellor of the university accepted the long-pending demand of the students and granted them the freedom to choose their preferred dress from the existing uniforms. Previously, male students at the School of Engineering under CUSAT were required to wear shirts and pants, while female students wore churidars. However, with the new order, both male and female students will have the option to choose between a shirt-pants combo or a churidar, regardless of their gender. The directive will come into effect from June 1, 2023, according to a letter sent by University Joint Registrar Sobha S. to the Principal of the School of Engineering.
The Vice-Chancellor's order specifies that the School of Engineering will adopt a gender-neutral uniform without changing the existing colour (churidar or pants and shirts). This decision was made following a representation submitted by Namitha George, Chairperson of the SFI Students' Union of CUSAT. Over 2,000 regular students pursuing various courses in the College of Engineering are expected to benefit from this new order.
Namitha explained that there had been informal discussions among students regarding the need for gender-neutral uniforms, and their union formally submitted a representation pressing the demand. The university organized meetings with faculty and representatives of various student unions to make a final decision on the matter. After considering different opinions, a consensus was reached, allowing students to choose their uniforms regardless of their gender.
It is worth noting that earlier this year, CUSAT granted "menstruation benefit" to students by providing additional condonation for the attendance shortage. Female students were granted an additional 2% allowance for a shortage of attendance in each semester.
CUSAT, an autonomous university, has over 8,000 students in various disciplines, with more than half of them being girls.
