SC on Sanitary Pads in School: In a landmark decision on Friday, the Supreme Court directed all government and private schools across the country to provide free sanitary pads to every girl student and ensure separate washroom facilities for boys and girls. The court made it clear that non-compliance could lead to cancellation of a school’s recognition. Emphasising the importance of dignity and health, the Supreme Court observed that menstrual health is an essential part of the fundamental right to life, protected under the Constitution as a component of the right to health.
SC on Sanitary Pads in School: Strict action to be taken against schools
The Supreme Court made it clear that governments will be directly held responsible if schools fail to provide proper toilet facilities and free sanitary pads to girl students. Stressing the importance of schoolgirls’ health and dignity, the court said such lapses would amount to a serious failure of duty.
A bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan directed the nationwide implementation of the Central Government’s Menstrual Hygiene Policy. The policy will be mandatory for all government and government-aided schools and will cover girl students from Classes 6 to 12, ensuring better health, hygiene, and a supportive learning environment.
Separate toilet facilities for girls
The Supreme Court’s order stated that private schools that fail to provide separate toilets and sanitary pads for girls will be de-recognized. The court stated, “The right to menstrual health is part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. If private schools fail to provide these facilities, their de-recognition will be revoked.”
Supreme Court News on School Girls Sanitary Pads: Special attention to the disabled
The court also directed all states and union territories to ensure that schools in all states and union territories provide suitable toilets for the disabled, and to ensure that all schools have separate toilets for male and female students.
