The Supreme Court has been informed that the Central government has approved a national policy on menstrual hygiene for school students in India. The policy aims to promote awareness, safe practices, and manage waste effectively while challenging stigma. This initiative addresses barriers to education for girls, ensuring access to hygiene resources, free menstrual products, and adequate sanitation facilities in schools.
New Delhi: In a significant development, the Supreme Court has been informed that the Central government has framed and approved a national policy on menstrual hygiene targeted at school students across India. This initiative, filed on behalf of the Ministries of Health, Education, and Jal Shakti, was disclosed through an affidavit submitted on November 11 by Advocate Amrish Kumar in the ongoing case Dr. Jaya Thakur v. Union of India.
The newly established policy seeks to “mainstream menstrual hygiene within the school system of the government”, with the aim of improving knowledge, attitudes, and behavior related to menstrual health among schoolgirls. The policy document notes that by increasing awareness and dismantling myths around menstruation, young girls will be empowered to overcome the barriers posed by low awareness that can limit their mobility, participation, and overall freedom during their schooling years.
The policy is designed not only to promote safe menstrual hygiene practices but also to challenge harmful social norms that contribute to the stigma surrounding menstruation. Additionally, it aims to implement environment-friendly measures for safe menstrual waste management within schools.
The Supreme Court’s interest in menstrual hygiene began in April of the previous year, when it directed the Central government to develop and enforce a uniform national policy. The court specified that this policy should include distribution of free menstrual pads to girls in schools. A Bench led by then-Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, along with Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala, also requested that all states and union territories report on the availability of girls’ toilets and menstrual products in educational institutions.
The affidavit submitted this week reflects the government’s compliance with the Court’s directive. According to the Court’s earlier ruling, each state and union territory was urged to facilitate menstrual hygiene management within its jurisdiction. The Court’s directive stemmed from a petition filed by Advocate Varinder Kumar Sharma, which highlighted how inadequate access to menstrual hygiene resources remains a substantial barrier to education for girls across India.
The plea emphasized that without proper hygiene management options, many schoolgirls face the risk of dropping out due to lack of access to basic sanitation facilities, menstrual products, and the social stigma associated with menstruation. Furthermore, the petition points out that several schools in India still lack basic toilet facilities for girls, exacerbating the challenges of maintaining menstrual hygiene.
In its earlier stages, the Court instructed the Mission Steering Group of the Union Health Ministry to re-evaluate national guidelines on menstrual hygiene and designated the Secretary of the Health Ministry to oversee the implementation process. On April 1 last year, the Central government stated that while such policies are in place, their execution largely depends on individual state governments.
With the national policy now approved, the government’s approach to menstrual hygiene in schools is set to standardize the provision of free sanitary pads, safe waste management, and dedicated sanitation facilities. This move represents a promising step towards ensuring that all young girls in India can pursue education without compromising their health, comfort, or dignity. The Supreme Court is expected to continue monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of this policy as states begin to incorporate it into their school systems.
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