The Supreme Court has issued a significant directive to the Centre, urging it to ensure the availability of free sanitary napkins and functional gender-segregated toilets in schools across the country. This move aims to prevent girls from dropping out of education due to lack of menstrual hygiene facilities.
Supreme Court Directive on Menstrual Health
The top court emphasized that no girl should abandon her education because of the absence of sanitary napkins or proper toilet facilities. The bench reiterated that menstrual health is an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution, linking access to hygiene products with sexual and reproductive health rights.
Government Action Required
The Centre has been directed to ensure effective implementation of its earlier order from January 30, which mandated the provision of free sanitary napkins and functional gender-segregated toilets in all states and Union Territories. The court stressed that state governments must comply with these directives without delay.
Monitoring Compliance
The Supreme Court will review the progress of implementation every three months. The next hearing is scheduled for September 1 to assess compliance with the orders. The bench warned that no state should fail to submit status reports to the Union regarding the implementation of the directives.
Constitutional Right to Menstrual Health
The court’s observation underscores that menstrual health is a fundamental right. It stated that access to sanitary products and proper sanitation facilities is essential for the dignity and well-being of girls, directly impacting their ability to continue schooling.
This directive is seen as a crucial step towards addressing the high dropout rates among adolescent girls in India, where many miss school during menstruation due to lack of facilities. The court’s intervention aims to create a supportive environment for girls’ education.
