Govt. Approves Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School Girls
India's government has launched a policy to provide free sanitary pads and improve menstrual hygiene for schoolgirls.
On November 11, 2024, the Central Government of India announced a new policy aimed at improving menstrual hygiene for school-going girls. This policy, called the "Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School-Going Girls," was created to ensure that girls, especially in government and government-aided schools, have access to the necessary resources and knowledge about menstrual hygiene.
The idea for this policy came after Dr. Jaya Thakur, a Congress leader and social activist, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court. In her PIL, Dr. Thakur highlighted the problems faced by young girls, especially those from poor families, during their periods. She pointed out that many girls in schools, especially in rural areas, do not have access to sanitary pads or proper toilets.
Dr. Thakur asked the government to provide free sanitary pads to female students from Class 6 to Class 12. She also requested that schools have separate toilets for girls and that these toilets should be equipped with the necessary facilities for menstrual hygiene.
The Central Government responded to Dr. Thakur’s PIL by telling the Supreme Court about the improvements they had already made in school toilets. They reported that they had built:
- 16 lakh boys' toilets and 17.5 lakh girls' toilets in over 10 lakh government schools.
- 2.5 lakh boys' toilets and 2.9 lakh girls' toilets in government-aided schools.
Following this, the Supreme Court ordered the government to create a national policy that would ensure free sanitary pads for school-going girls.
In response to the Supreme Court’s order, the Central Government started working on the Menstrual Hygiene Policy. The policy was developed after the Supreme Court’s order on 10th April 2023.
On 8th July 2024, the government announced that the official proposal for the policy was ready. They sent it to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for approval. The Ministry approved it on 2nd November 2024.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare also submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court, explaining that the policy would help improve knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to menstrual hygiene among schoolgirls.
The Menstrual Hygiene Policy has several important goals:
1. Increase awareness about menstrual hygiene: The policy will help educate schoolgirls about menstrual health and hygiene.
2. Remove harmful social practices: It will work to end the social taboos and myths related to menstruation.
3. Improve access to sanitary napkins: The policy aims to ensure that girls, especially in rural areas, have easy access to high-quality sanitary pads.
4. Encourage safe disposal of sanitary napkins: It will promote eco-friendly ways to dispose of sanitary napkins, helping the environment.
5. Ensure access to menstrual hygiene products: Girls in government and aided schools will have regular access to sanitary pads.
While the policy has been announced, the Central Government has not yet shared the exact dates or guidelines for how the policy will be implemented in different states. However, the government is working on this and plans to roll out the policy soon.
Menstrual hygiene is a very important issue, especially for young girls. Many girls in rural areas and underprivileged communities miss school during their periods because they don’t have the right resources. By ensuring access to sanitary pads and proper facilities, the government hopes to keep girls in school and improve their overall health and well-being.
The Menstrual Hygiene Policy is a step towards breaking the silence around menstruation and ensuring that all schoolgirls, no matter where they live, can manage their periods with dignity and comfort.
