Regarding the order related to the health of schoolgirls, the court said that if governments fail to provide toilets and free sanitary pads to schoolgirls, they will also be held accountable.
SC orders free sanitary pads in schools
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday directed all states and Union Territories to ensure that biodegradable sanitary pads are provided free of cost to girl students studying in private and government schools.
The apex court stated in its order that the right to menstrual health is part of the fundamental right to life enshrined in the Constitution.
Regarding the order related to the health of schoolgirls, the court said that if governments fail to provide toilets and free sanitary pads to schoolgirls, they will also be held accountable.
A bench of senior judges JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan issued this order on the implementation of the central government's menstrual hygiene policy for girl students from classes 6 to 12 in government and government-aided schools across the country.
Supreme Warning to Private Schools
The Supreme Court, in its order, said that if private schools fail to provide separate toilets for girls and boys and provide sanitary pads, their recognition will be revoked. The court said, "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 recognition will be revoked."
Instructions to Ensure Separate Toilets
The court also directed all states and Union Territories to ensure the availability of disabled-friendly toilets in all schools. Furthermore, all states and Union Territories have been directed to ensure separate toilets for male and female students in schools.
It may be noted that the apex court had reserved its judgment on December 10, 2024, on a public interest litigation filed by Jaya Thakur, seeking the implementation of the central government's 'Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School Going Girls' across India for adolescent girls studying in classes 6 to 12 in government and government-aided schools.
