Supreme Court directs Centre to frame a uniform national policy for menstrual hygiene in schools
Last Updated on April 12, 2023 by Administrator
The apex court on Monday directed the central government to frame and implement a uniform policy on menstrual hygiene in schools including free distribution of sanitary napkins. It also asked the states to provide details on the availability of girls’ toilets and the supply of menstrual products/sanitary pads in schools.
The plea was filed through Advocate Varinder Kumar Sharma who stated that inadequate menstrual hygiene management options constitute a significant barrier to education and has forced many girls to drop out of school due to lack of access to sanitation facilities, menstrual products and the stigma associated with menstruation.
The plea seeks directions to the Centre, states and UTs to provide free sanitary pads to every girl child studying in classes 6 to 12, and provisions of girls’ toilets in government and residential schools. The petition also pled for three-stage awareness programmes to create awareness about menstrual health, provide adequate sanitation facilities and subsidised or free sanitary products, and ensure an efficient and hygienic manner of menstrual waste disposal.
The bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala appointed the secretary of the Ministry of Health and family welfare (MOHFW) as nodal officer to coordinate with all states and UTs to collect relevant data for formulating national policy
The court held “Union should engage with all states to see that a uniform national policy is implemented so that states can implement the same with adjustments. Bearing in mind the importance of the issue raised, we direct all states and UTs must submit to the Secretary, Health Ministry their menstrual hygiene policies being carried from their own funds within four weeks,” Court also directed the Mission Steering Group formed by the Union Health Ministry to re-evaluate the national guidelines. It said, “States and UTs will also indicate to the Mission Steering Group the ratio of girls’ toilets in residential and non-residential schools. States, UTs to show cost incurred for sanitary pads, sanitary pad vending machine and ensure disposal mechanism is available for schools where girls are enrolled in higher secondary and secondary classes”
Written By – Shagun
