The Supreme Court on Friday directed all private and government schools across the country to make it mandatory to provide free sanitary pads to girls. Separate washrooms must be provided for boys and girls. Schools that fail to comply will have their recognition revoked.

The court also directed all states and Union Territories to ensure that disabled-friendly toilets are built in every school.

The Supreme Court delivered this judgment after hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in 2024 by Jaya Thakur. Her petition demanded the implementation of the Central Government's Menstrual Hygiene Policy across the country.

The Court's two questions…

If schools do not have separate toilets for girls, it violates Article 14 (Right to Equality) of the Constitution. If girls do not receive sanitary pads, they cannot participate equally in studies and activities like boys.

Access to dignified facilities during menstruation is part of Article 21 (Right to Life and Dignity) of the Constitution. If girls do not receive proper facilities, their dignity and privacy are compromised.

The Court said: Girls' bodies are seen as a burden

This order is not just for those involved in the legal system. It is also for the classrooms where girls hesitate to ask for help. It is for the teachers who want to help but are constrained by a lack of resources. It is also for the parents who may not understand the impact of their silence.

It is also for society, so that the measure of progress is determined by how well we protect our most vulnerable. We want to send this message to every girl who has suffered from absenteeism at school because her body was seen as a burden, through no fault of her own.

The petitioner had said: Girls don't go to school during their periods

Social worker Jaya Thakur had filed a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court expressing concern over the health and safety of girls. The petition stated that many girls drop out of school due to difficulties during their periods, as their families cannot afford sanitary pads. Using cloth instead of pads during menstruation makes attending school difficult.

Schools also lack facilities for providing free sanitary pads to girls. This is negatively impacting their education. Furthermore, schools do not have proper facilities for disposing of used pads, which is another reason why girls are unable to attend school during their periods.