India
National policy on distribution of menstrual hygiene products in advanced stage: Centre to SC | India News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: The national politics about the distribution of menstrual hygiene products for school-going girls in adolescence are in an advanced stage of formulation, the Center told the High Council on Monday. A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala took cognizance of the submissions of Additional Attorney General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, and allowed her plea for granting two additional months for framing the policy.
The Supreme Court was hearing a plea filed by Congress leader and social activist Jaya Thakur, which directed the government and states to free sanitary pads Unpleasant female students from grades 6 to 12 and provide separate toilets for ladies in all government-subsidized schools and boarding schools.
The ASG reported that the drafting of national policy on this matter is at an advanced stage and that an additional two months may be granted.
“We will hold this case on the first Monday of September,” the court said.
The request pointed out the problems young girls from poor families face at school.
The Centre had earlier said it was in the process of collecting all necessary materials to formulate a national policy for distribution of menstrual hygiene products to school-going girls, in line with the orders dated April 10, 2023 and November 6, 2023.
The Supreme Court had directed the Centre to adopt a nationwide model for construction of toilets based on the number of girls in all government-aided schools and boarding schools across the country.
While stressing on a uniform procedure, the government was also asked about the policy it has formulated for distribution of sanitary napkins to female school children at the national level.
During an earlier hearing, the Centre had informed the Supreme Court that a draft national policy for free distribution of sanitary napkins to school-going girls has been prepared and sent to stakeholders for their comments.
On April 10, the Supreme Court appointed the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) as the nodal officer for coordination with the states and UTs and collection of relevant data for formulating national policy.
It was noted that the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Jal Shakti have programmes for menstrual hygiene management.
The court also ordered all states and UTs to submit their strategies and plans for menstrual hygiene management, to be implemented using funds provided by the Centre or through their own resources, to the Mission Steering Group of the National Health Mission within four weeks.
The Supreme Court held that the states and UTs should also indicate to the Mission Steering Group of the National Health Mission the correct ratio of ladies’ toilets for boarding and non-boarding schools in their respective territories.
All states and UTs were also requested to indicate what steps have been taken to provide low-cost sanitary napkins and vending machines in schools and to dispose of them properly.
The petition states that young girls from poor families between the ages of 11 and 18 face serious problems in receiving education, a constitutional right under Article 21A of the Constitution.
“We are talking about adolescent women who are not equipped with menstruation and menstrual hygiene and who have not been informed about this by their parents.
“The disadvantaged economic status and illiteracy lead to increase in unhygienic and unhealthy habits which have serious health consequences, increase persistence and ultimately lead to school dropout,” the petition said.
The Supreme Court was hearing a plea filed by Congress leader and social activist Jaya Thakur, which directed the government and states to free sanitary pads Unpleasant female students from grades 6 to 12 and provide separate toilets for ladies in all government-subsidized schools and boarding schools.
The ASG reported that the drafting of national policy on this matter is at an advanced stage and that an additional two months may be granted.
“We will hold this case on the first Monday of September,” the court said.
The request pointed out the problems young girls from poor families face at school.
The Centre had earlier said it was in the process of collecting all necessary materials to formulate a national policy for distribution of menstrual hygiene products to school-going girls, in line with the orders dated April 10, 2023 and November 6, 2023.
The Supreme Court had directed the Centre to adopt a nationwide model for construction of toilets based on the number of girls in all government-aided schools and boarding schools across the country.
While stressing on a uniform procedure, the government was also asked about the policy it has formulated for distribution of sanitary napkins to female school children at the national level.
During an earlier hearing, the Centre had informed the Supreme Court that a draft national policy for free distribution of sanitary napkins to school-going girls has been prepared and sent to stakeholders for their comments.
On April 10, the Supreme Court appointed the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) as the nodal officer for coordination with the states and UTs and collection of relevant data for formulating national policy.
It was noted that the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Jal Shakti have programmes for menstrual hygiene management.
The court also ordered all states and UTs to submit their strategies and plans for menstrual hygiene management, to be implemented using funds provided by the Centre or through their own resources, to the Mission Steering Group of the National Health Mission within four weeks.
The Supreme Court held that the states and UTs should also indicate to the Mission Steering Group of the National Health Mission the correct ratio of ladies’ toilets for boarding and non-boarding schools in their respective territories.
All states and UTs were also requested to indicate what steps have been taken to provide low-cost sanitary napkins and vending machines in schools and to dispose of them properly.
The petition states that young girls from poor families between the ages of 11 and 18 face serious problems in receiving education, a constitutional right under Article 21A of the Constitution.
“We are talking about adolescent women who are not equipped with menstruation and menstrual hygiene and who have not been informed about this by their parents.
“The disadvantaged economic status and illiteracy lead to increase in unhygienic and unhealthy habits which have serious health consequences, increase persistence and ultimately lead to school dropout,” the petition said.
