SC Orders Centre To Frame National Policy On Menstrual Hygiene For School-Going Girls

On 10 April, the Supreme Court ordered the central government to create a national policy on menstrual hygiene, specifically for school-going girls in the country.

The petition further requested for girls to have separate washrooms in government, aided, and residential schools.

Menstrual Hygiene For School Girls: 10 Things to know

1. The panel, headed by the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala, declared that the policy should guarantee affordable sanitary napkins and secure disposal methods of these napkins in schools.
2. The court emphasised the significance of the matter mentioned in the petition and requested solicitor general  Tushar Mehta's assistance during the proceedings.
3. The petition presented by advocate Varinder Kumar Sharma states that the lack of adequate menstrual hygiene management options is hindering education, causing many girls to drop out of school. This is due to limited access to sanitation facilities and products, as well as the social stigma surrounding menstruation.
4. The court was reviewing a request that asked for guidance from the Indian government, states, and union territories to implement specific measures such as providing sanitary pads to girls in grades 6-12 and ensuring separate toilets for girls in government, government-aided, and residential schools.
5. The individual who filed the petition claims that a significant number of educational institutions do not have proper toilet facilities. They referred to a report that stated over 23 million girls drop out of school every year because of inadequate menstrual hygiene management facilities.
6. The MOHFW has designated the secretary of the ministry as the nodal officer to liaise with all the states and UTs to gather pertinent information to create a national policy.
7. The court observed that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Jal Shakti have programs in operation concerning menstrual hygiene.
8. The mission's steering group can re-evaluate national guidelines utilising the knowledge and experience gained over the past decade or more.
9. The court ordered the government to submit an updated report by the end of July 2023.
10. The petition aimed to provide a three-stage menstrual health awareness program that works to break the taboo surrounding menstruation, offers appropriate sanitation facilities, and subsidized or freely available sanitary products to women, particularly those in disadvantaged areas. It also advocates for an efficient and sanitary way of disposing of menstrual waste.

Suggested reading: Why Destigmatising Menstruation, Promoting Reproductive Health Is Vital to Achieve #HealthForAll