Stories
Supreme Court Warns States Over Delay In Menstrual Hygiene Implementation
C
CNBC TV18•18-10-2026, 15:42
Supreme Court Warns States Over Delay In Menstrual Hygiene Implementation
- •The Supreme Court expressed strong displeasure over states and Union territories failing to report on the implementation of its judgment declaring menstrual hygiene as part of the fundamental right under Article 21.
- •A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan warned that contempt notices would be issued to the concerned chief secretaries if states and UTs fail to respond by the next hearing on December 14.
- •The apex court had ruled on January 30 that the right to life under Article 21 includes the right to menstrual health, aiming to protect young girls from dropping out of school due to lack of hygiene facilities.
- •The court previously directed all states and UTs to ensure that government and private schools provide functional, gender-segregated toilets with water connectivity and free sanitary napkins to girl students.
Key Questions Answered
The Supreme Court declared menstrual hygiene and health as an essential facet of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the protection of life and personal liberty.
The apex court expressed displeasure because states and UTs failed to respond to the Centre regarding how its judgment on implementing menstrual hygiene rights is being put into effect.
The apex court directed that all government and private schools across urban and rural areas must provide functional, gender-segregated toilets with usable water connectivity, alongside free sanitary napkins for girl students.
