Supreme Court Orders National Strategy for Menstrual Hygiene Management in Schools

Supreme Court: The Supreme Court mandated the creation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the development of a nationwide model for the management of menstrual hygiene for girls enrolled in schools on Monday. The highest court described the matter as one of "immense importance," and it advised the Center to work with all interested parties to develop a unified national policy on the management of menstrual hygiene in schools, including government and government-aided institutions.

The secretary of MOHFW was designated as the focal officer

The secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) was designated as the focal officer to cooperate with all the states and UTs and gather pertinent data for developing a national strategy by a bench consisting of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala. The bench took notice of the menstrual hygiene programmes being run by the MoHFW, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Proper ratio of girls' restrooms for residential and non-residential schools

It stated that based on experiential learning from the previous 10+ years, the mission steering group can reevaluate the national criteria. All states and UTs are required to notify the proper ratio of girls' restrooms for residential and non-residential schools in their respective regions, the bench ruled. It further stated that all states and UTs must include provisions to guarantee the supply of high-quality, reasonably priced sanitary pads and vending machines in schools. By the end of July 2023, the bench ordered the Centre to submit an updated status report.

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Responsibility of providing health care services lies with the respective state governments

Beginning with the statement that there are numerous guidelines and programmes of various ministries devoted to improving access to menstrual hygiene for young and adolescent girls, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, speaking on behalf of the Centre, noted that while public health is a state subject, the responsibility of providing health care services lies with the respective state governments. The Health Ministry claimed in a document submitted to the Supreme Court that it had implemented awareness-raising campaigns, provided resources for girls nationwide, and held training sessions.

The affidavit was submitted in response to a PIL

It said that the central government was committed to assisting young and adolescent females with better menstrual hygiene and to providing them with the resources they required. The affidavit was submitted in response to a PIL that Congress politician Jaya Thakur, represented by attorney Varinder Kumar Sharma, filed in an effort to get government schools all over the nation to provide girls in grades 6 through 12 with free sanitary pads. Menstruation and menstrual practises are stigmatised by taboos and sociocultural constraints for women and teenage girls in India, which is compounded by inadequate access to feminine hygiene products and a dearth of secure sanitary facilities, according to the ministry. In her argument, Ms. Thakur claimed that disadvantaged adolescent girls between the ages of 11 and 18 have significant challenges getting an education because they lack access to that right, which is guaranteed by Article 21A of the Constitution.

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