SC Directs States And UTs To Provide Separate Toilets, Free Sanitary Napkins For Girls In All Schools
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday, January 30, ruled that right to menstrual health as part of the right to life under the Constitution. The court while ordering gender-segregated toilets for all the students in all schools, also directed all states and Union Territories to provide free oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins to girl students.
While hearing, a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan observed that the absence of gender-segregated toilets and lack of access to menstrual absorbents strips girls of dignity, privacy, equality and meaningful access to education.
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The court stated that the menstrual health cannot remain a matter of charity or policy discretion, adding that it is a direct constitutional guarantees. The court pointed out that the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution includes the right to menstrual health; access to safe, effective and affordable menstrual hygiene management measures helps a girl child attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health.
The top court also laid down strict consequences for non-compliance, including the de-recognition of private schools and holding state governments directly accountable for failures in public institutions.
The court further ordered all all states and Union Territories shall ensure that every school where the government-run or privately managed in both urban and rural areas provides oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins manufactured in compliance… free of cost.
