SC issues notice on plea seeking free sanitary napkins in schools

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the central government, states and union territories on a plea seeking the supply of free sanitary napkins for adolescent girls in schools. The petition also seeks separate washrooms for girls in all government, aided and residential schools.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud ordered the issue of the notice and posted the matter for further hearing in the second week of January. Citing the importance of the issue raised in the petition, the bench urged solicitor general Tushar Mehta to assist the court in the matter.

The petition filed, through advocate Varinder Kumar Sharma, argued that inadequate menstrual hygiene management options were a major roadblock to education, with many girls dropping out of school due to lack of access to sanitation facilities and products and the stigma associated with menstruation.


Many educational institutions lack basic toilet facilities, said the petitioner, who cited a report according to which more than 23 million girls drop out of school annually due to lack of proper menstrual hygiene management facilities.

The petitioner has sought directions to the Centre, states and UTs to create awareness about menstrual health and dispel the taboo surrounding it; provide adequate sanitation facilities; and supply subsidised or free sanitary products to women, especially in disadvantaged areas.