The Supreme Court was recently informed that the Central government has framed and approved a national policy on menstrual hygiene for school students. [Dr Jaya Thakur v. Union of India]

The Union Health Ministry (on its behalf as well the Ministries of Education and Jal Shakti) submitted an affidavit to this effect on November 11, filed through Advocate Amrish Kumar.

The policy 'aims to mainstream menstrual hygiene within the school system of the government' to usher in changes in knowledge, attitudes and behaviour among schoolgirls.

Such a policy will assist them in overcoming the barriers of low awareness that can restrict their freedoms, mobility and participation in daily activities, the document notes.

Further, the policy's objective is to 'dissipate harmful social norms and promote safe menstrual hygiene practices', apart from ensuring environment-friendly management of menstrual waste.

The Supreme Court had in April last year directed the Central government to implement a uniform national policy on menstrual hygiene, including distribution of free menstrual pads to students.

A Bench of (then) Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala had even asked states and union territories to submit details on availability of girls' toilets and the supply of menstrual products/sanitary pads in schools.

The present compliance affidavit has been filed pursuant to the same.

The Court's directions had come in a plea seeking that the Centre, states and UTs provide free sanitary pads to every girl child studying in classes 6 to 12, and provisions for separate girls' toilets in government and residential schools.

The plea filed through Advocate Varinder Kumar Sharma states that inadequate menstrual hygiene management options are a major barrier to education, with many girls dropping out of school due to lack of access to sanitation facilities, menstrual products and the stigma associated with menstruation.

The difficulties these girls face have been compounded by the fact that several educational institutions lack basic toilet facilities, the plea states.

The Court had earlier directed the Mission Steering Group formed by the Union Health Ministry to re-evaluate the national guidelines and also nominated the Secretary of the Health Ministry to facilitate the process.

On April 1 last year, the Central government informed the Court that it is for the states to implement the existing policies.