Order of the Supreme Court of India regarding provision of free sanitary pads for school girls and separate female toilets in government schools, 06/11/2023
Order of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of Dr Jaya Thakur Vs Government of India & Others dated 06/11/2023.
The Supreme Court directed the Union of India to set down a national model for the ratio of the number of girls’ toilets per female student population across government aided and residential schools in the country. The court also asked the Centre to bring about uniformity in terms of the modalities to be followed for the distribution of sanitary napkins.
In addition, consider the practices which have been followed in different states in order to arrive at the optimum policy which ensures that an adequate supply of sanitary napkins is made available to female students in schools in the requisite age group and that the modalities for distribution are facilitative in all respects, said the SC order, November 6, 2023.
The counsel for the Union of India stated that a draft policy has been formulated with regard to the distribution of sanitary napkins to female students in the requisite age group in schools across India. The policy has been circulated for eliciting the comments of all stakeholders and a final policy would be drawn up soon.
The SC asked placing on record the policy which has been drawn up on the next date of hearing, December 11, 2023. The court was hearing a plea filed by 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.