The Supreme Court of India has held that the right to menstrual hygiene is an essential part of the right to life under Article 21. It issued binding directions to states, Union Territories and schools to ensure dignity, health and equality for girls and women.
The court ordered all schools to provide biodegradable sanitary napkins free of cost to adolescent girls and to ensure functional, hygienic, gender-segregated toilets. It also directed pan-India implementation of the Centre’s Menstrual Hygiene Policy for school-going girls from Classes 6 to 12.
Compliance has been made mandatory for both government and private institutions, with the court warning that private schools could face derecognition for failing to provide separate toilets or free access to sanitary pads.