Supreme Court directs centre to clarify menstrual hygiene ground situation in schools
A bench of justices JB Pardiwala and Pankaj Mithal asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati look into the aspects highlighted by the petitioner, clarify the position by the next date of hearing and listed the matter for December 3.
The Supreme Court has directed centre to clarify ground situation of menstrual hygeine in schools. The court has also asked to respond over certain aspects highlighted by the petitioner before implementing the policy.
A bench of justices JB Pardiwala and Pankaj Mithal asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati look into the aspects highlighted by the petitioner, clarify the position by the next date of hearing and listed the matter for December 3.
"We request Aishwarya Bhati, the learned ASG to look into the aspects highlighted by the petitioner referred to above and clarify the position by the next date of hearing," the top court said.
The top court was informed that Union of India has framed National Policy as regards "Menstrual Hygiene for School Going Girls".
The policy talks about the vision, the objections, the target the policy components the current programmes and in the last the rules and responsibilities of the stakeholders.
ASG Aishwarya Bhati submitted that still much is required to be done for proper and effective implementation of the policy.
The petitioner also spoke with individuals from different districts and discovered that the situation was quite dire. The petitioner further noted that there are no facilities for providing sanitary pads in Damoh District, Madhya Pradesh, particularly in middle schools (for girls aged 12 to 15). If a girl requires a sanitary pad, the school would instruct her to return home. The court was hearing a petition requesting that the government be directed to provide free sanitary pads to girls in Classes 6 to 12.
"These are adolescent females who are not equipped with and are also not educated by the parents about menstruation and menstrual hygiene. The deprived economic status and illiteracy leads to prevalence of unhygienic and unhealthy practices which has serious health consequences; increases obstinacy and leads to eventual dropping out from schools," the petitioner said.
Managing menstruation in a hygienic way is essential for the dignity and well-being of women, particularly in democratic societies. It is a critical aspect of basic hygiene, sanitation, and reproductive health services. When menstrual hygiene is not properly managed, it negatively impacts girls' education, health, and overall well-being.