India Menstrual Health Fundamental Right

The India — Supreme Court of India, in a landmark ruling, declared that the right to menstrual health is an integral part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. A bench comprising Justices J. B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan directed all states and Union Territories in India to ensure that girl students in both private and government schools are provided bio-degradable menstrual sanitary pads free of cost. The court also mandated the provision of separate, functional, gender-segregated, and disabled-friendly toilets in all schools. Furthermore, it ordered the establishment of Menstrual Hygiene Management corners, safe disposal facilities for sanitary waste, and the incorporation of gender-responsive curricula on menstruation by the India — National Council of Educational Research and Training. The ruling came in response to a Public Interest Litigation filed by Jaya Thakur and emphasizes that lack of access to menstrual hygiene undermines dignity and education. The India — Supreme Court of India warned of stringent consequences for non-compliance, including de-recognition for private schools and accountability for state governments, and will monitor progress through compliance reports within three months.