India has taken a significant step towards promoting menstrual hygiene among schoolgirls by implementing a new policy specifically designed for this purpose. The government, in response to a Supreme Court order, has introduced the “Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School Going Girls,” which has been officially sanctioned by the Union health ministry. The primary objective of this policy is to enhance menstrual hygiene practices and ensure easy access to sanitary products for female students attending government schools nationwide.

The initiative stemmed from a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Congress leader and social activist, Jaya Thakur, which urged the government to provide free sanitary pads to female students from Class 6 to 12 and establish separate female toilets in all government, government-aided, and residential schools. Following this, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare developed the policy, which was approved on November 2, 2024. The policy aims to integrate menstrual hygiene into the school system to bring about a positive shift in the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of schoolgirls, thereby eliminating the social barriers that hinder their freedom, mobility, and active participation in daily activities.

One of the key aspects of the policy is to conduct surveys to assess the coverage of menstrual hygiene products in government and aided schools and address any existing gaps to ensure consistent availability of these products to female students. Furthermore, the policy seeks to eradicate harmful social norms related to menstruation, promote safe menstrual hygiene practices, and advocate for eco-friendly menstrual waste management practices.

The government has reported that a significant majority of schools, approximately over 97.5%, including government, state-aided, and private institutions, already have separate toilet facilities for female students. To further enhance this infrastructure, the government has constructed a substantial number of toilets in schools across various states. States like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Sikkim, Gujarat, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Odisha have achieved high percentages of separate toilet facilities for female students, with some reaching close to 100% coverage.

However, certain regions, particularly in the northeastern part of the country, exhibit lower percentages of separate toilet facilities for female students compared to the national average. For instance, Jammu and Kashmir have implemented such facilities in 89.2% of schools. To address these disparities, the Supreme Court has directed the government to develop a national framework for constructing toilets in proportion to the number of female students in all government-aided and residential schools nationwide.

In conclusion, India’s implementation of the Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School Going Girls marks a significant milestone in promoting menstrual health and hygiene among young female students. By ensuring access to sanitary products and appropriate facilities, the government is taking proactive steps to empower girls and eliminate the stigma associated with menstruation, thereby fostering a healthier and more inclusive educational environment.