Menstrual hygiene for females school students policy approved, centre tells Supreme Court
The central government has informed the Supreme Court of framing the "Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School Going Girls" approved by the Union Health Ministry. In reference to the apex court's order of April 10, 2023, government said the policy over menstrual hygiene of female school children has been framed which was approved by the concerned minister on November 2, 2024.
The Supreme Court was hearing on a matter where PIL was filed by Congress leader and sought directives to governments regarding free facilitation of sanitary napkins and ensuring female hygiene in school and educational institutions.
"This policy aims to mainstream menstrual hygiene within the school system of the government to bolster change in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours, among schoolgirls, overcoming the barriers of low awareness that often restrict their freedom, mobility and participation in daily activities," the affidavit, filed in the pending matter, stated.
Earlier centre informed the top court that 97.5% schools in the country provide separate toilets for females. States and union territories, such as Delhi, Goa and Puducherry, achieved 100 per cent targets and complied with the previous court orders, it added.
The public interest litigation filed by the congress leader outlined the hardships faced by adolescent female students.
The Supreme Court instructed the Centre to develop a national standard for constructing toilets in government-funded and residential schools, based on the number of female students. The Court stressed the need for a consistent approach and also inquired about the national policy the Centre has established for distributing sanitary napkins to female students in schools.
- With inputs from agencies
