In Brief
A Supreme Court PIL challenged systemic deficiencies in menstrual hygiene facilities in Indian schools. The Court held that menstrual health is integral to fundamental rights under Articles 14 (equality), 21 (life and dignity), and 21A (education). Lack of sanitary products, separate toilets, and disposal mechanisms violates girls' constitutional rights by causing absenteeism and dropouts. The Court issued a continuing mandamus requiring all schools—government and private—to provide free sanitary napkins, functional gender-segregated toilets, disposal facilities, and awareness programs within three months, with monitoring by education officers and child rights commissions.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.