SC says menstrual health a fundamental right, directs free sanitary pads for school girls

Ruling that the right to menstrual health is a part of the fundamental right to life, the Supreme Court on Friday directed all states and Union Territories to ensure adolescent students in private and government schools are provided bio-degradable sanitary pads for free, PTI reported.

A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan instructed the states to ensure separate toilets for male and female students in all schools, including facilities that are accessible to students with disabilities.

The court directed states to make sure that all schools set up menstrual hygiene management corners, which will have spare innerwear, uniforms and other necessary materials to address menstrual urgency, Live Law reported.