‘Develop national model,' SC to Centre on girls toilets, distribution of sanitary napkins

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to develop a national model for number of girls toilets per female student population across government aided and residential schools, and also bring in uniformity in scheme for distribution of sanitary napkins.

A bench of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra ordered the Union government to set down a national model for the number of girls toilets per female student population across government aided and residential schools and bring in uniformity in modalities to be followed for distribution of sanitary napkins.

The court's direction came as a counsel for the Centre said a draft report has been prepared in this regard.

The court was hearing a plea filed by social worker Jaya Thakur for directions to States and the Centre to provide free sanitary pads to class 6-12 girls and ensure separate female toilet facility in all government-aided and residential schools.

Senior Advocate Vibha Datta Makhija for the petitioners, raised the issue of delay, contending that the necessary infrastructure funding had already been allocated to schools.

The counsel, representing the Centre, submitted that the government has collected data pertaining to the subject matter of these proceedings and a draft policy has been formulated with regard to distribution of sanitary napkins to female students in schools across the country in the requisite age group.

The bench noted that the policy has been circulated to gather comments of all stakeholders and a final policy will be drawn up within four weeks.

The bench also pointed out that Tamil Nadu gave 18 packets to the girl students, each consisting of six napkins. Even that would not be adequate for a young girl in that age group, it said, asking the Centre to consider the practices being followed in different states in order to arrive at optimum policy which will ensure that adequate supply of sanitary napkins is made available to female students in schools in the requisite age group and the modalities for distribution are facilitated.

In her plea, Thakur, MP Congress leader said lack of access to sanitation facilities, menstrual products and the stigma associated with menstruation acted as a major barrier to education. The difficulties were compounded as several educational institutions lacked basic toilet facilities, the plea said.

Maintaining access to safe sanitation is extremely important for women and girls during their menstrual cycles, it said around the world, one in three girls face inadequate sanitation, and many others face social and cultural limits during their periods.

The plea cited a report that nearly 23 million girls drop out of school annually due to lack of proper menstrual hygiene management facilities.

"Sanitation facility in close proximity provides a considerable level of comfort for girls who suffer from severe cramping or dysmenorrhea. Besides, it also ensures that a female gets enough privacy in order to clean up properly, and maintain better hygiene," it said.