The Centre has announced the approval of the “Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School Going Girls,” aiming to improve menstrual health education in schools. It follows a Supreme Court directive to enhance access to hygiene resources and build gender-segregated toilets. The initiative also addresses social norms and focuses on the distribution of menstrual products for underprivileged students, fostering an inclusive educational environment.
New Delhi: In a significant step toward improving health and educational access for young girls, the Centre recently informed the Supreme Court that the “Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School Going Girls” has been officially framed and approved by the Union Health Ministry. This policy is aimed at mainstreaming menstrual hygiene within India’s school systems to address challenges that female students face due to inadequate menstrual health education and resources.
The development is a response to an earlier directive from the Supreme Court on April 10, 2023, which instructed the Centre and state governments to improve access to menstrual hygiene resources for female students. The court had also directed the government to build dedicated, gender-segregated toilet facilities in all government and government-aided schools. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Congress leader and social activist Jaya Thakur brought attention to the issue, advocating for free sanitary pads for female students from classes 6 to 12.
According to the Centre’s affidavit,
“This policy aims to mainstream menstrual hygiene within the school system of the government to bolster change in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among schoolgirls, overcoming the barriers of low awareness that often restrict their freedom, mobility, and participation in daily activities.”
Through this approach, the government intends to dismantle stigmas surrounding menstruation while ensuring consistent access to menstrual hygiene products.
Addressing Social Norms and Environmental Impact
The Centre’s affidavit emphasized that the policy would also work to “dissipate harmful social norms” and promote safe menstrual hygiene practices. Additionally, the policy includes measures for environmentally responsible management of menstrual waste to reduce the ecological footprint of disposable hygiene products.
The affidavit further outlined plans for assessing menstrual hygiene needs among schoolgirls through surveys conducted by states and union territories. This data will allow for targeted interventions in schools that lack resources, ensuring equitable access to menstrual hygiene products and facilities for girls nationwide.
Nationwide Access to Toilets and Hygiene Facilities
The Centre informed the Supreme Court that separate toilets for female students are already available in over 97.5% of schools nationwide, encompassing government, state-aided, and private institutions. The states of Delhi, Goa, and Puducherry were praised for achieving 100% compliance with the court’s earlier directives for dedicated female toilets.
Data presented in court showed that states such as West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have achieved almost complete coverage, with 99.9% and 99.7% of schools, respectively, offering separate facilities for girls. Northeastern states, however, still lag behind, with Jammu and Kashmir reporting the lowest compliance at 89.2%.
The figures provided by the Centre also noted that over 16 lakh toilets for boys and 17.5 lakh toilets for girls have been constructed across 10 lakh government schools. Government-aided schools have additionally built 2.5 lakh toilets for boys and 2.9 lakh for girls to meet gender-specific hygiene requirements.
The Importance of a National Menstrual Hygiene Policy
On July 8, the Centre informed the Supreme Court that a national policy for distributing menstrual hygiene products to adolescent girls was at an advanced formulation stage. This policy will address the difficulties faced by students from underprivileged backgrounds who often lack access to affordable menstrual products, which affects school attendance and performance.
The petitioner, Jaya Thakur, through her advocate Varun Thakur, highlighted these challenges, noting that young girls from economically disadvantaged families are particularly impacted. In response, the court directed the Centre to draft a comprehensive model for building appropriate toilet facilities that accommodate the number of female students in government, government-aided, and residential schools.
On April 10, the Supreme Court appointed the Health Ministry’s secretary as the nodal officer responsible for coordinating with states and union territories to gather data. This step was crucial for formulating a unified approach to menstrual hygiene, ensuring that the needs of adolescent female students are effectively addressed.
A Progressive Step Forward
The Menstrual Hygiene Policy marks a pivotal moment for India’s education and health sectors. By prioritizing menstrual hygiene education, accessibility, and proper waste management, this policy seeks to create a supportive environment that empowers girls to participate fully in their education without the stigma or challenges associated with menstruation. As the Centre continues to refine and implement this policy, it promises to foster a more inclusive, health-conscious, and environmentally aware future for young women across the nation.
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