Overview
- A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan issued binding directions to all states and Union Territories to ensure free sanitary napkins, gender-segregated toilets, clean water, safe disposal facilities and menstrual hygiene corners in government and private schools.
- The Court ordered NCERT and state SCERTs to add gender-responsive lessons on puberty and menstruation, with District Education Officers conducting regular inspections and gathering anonymous student feedback.
- Non-compliance with the national Menstrual Hygiene Policy will invite punitive action, and the Court said financial constraints cannot justify failure to implement the directives.
- Public-health experts and NGOs welcomed the judgment but warned of practical hurdles including procurement and distribution, maintenance and waste management, electricity and disposal constraints, concerns about oxo-biodegradable pads, and the need to preserve product choice.
- By reading menstrual hygiene into Article 21, the Court reframed access to products, facilities and privacy as constitutional obligations tied to dignity, health and education, requiring Centre and state action within three months.