'Menstrual hygiene policy' for school girls approved: Centre

New Delhi: The Union government told the Supreme Court on Monday that a “Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School Going Girls” has been framed and approved by the Union Health Ministry, PTI reported.

The Centre referred to a top court order of April 10, 2023, and said the Union Ministry of the Health and Family Welfare framed the policy over menstrual hygiene of female school children, which was approved by the minister concerned on November 2, 2024.

The top court was hearing a PIL filed by Congress leader and social activist Jaya Thakur seeking directions to the Centre and states to provide free sanitary pads to female students between Classes 6 and 12 and ensure separate female toilet facilities in all government, government-aided and residential schools.

"This policy aims to mainstream menstrual hygiene within the school system of the government to bolster change in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours, among schoolgirls, overcoming the barriers of low awareness that often restrict their freedom, mobility and participation in daily activities," the affidavit, filed in the pending matter, stated.

It said the policy enables coverage, needing assessment through appropriate levels of survey mechanisms that can be undertaken by states and union territories, followed by gap-filling so that students in government and aided schools have regular access to menstrual hygiene products.

The Centre said the policy aimed at dissipating harmful social norms and promoting safe menstrual hygiene practices, besides enabling environment-friendly management of menstrual waste.