Source: TH
Context: The Supreme Court has called for a “uniform national policy” to ensure menstrual hygiene for girls in schools.
What is menstrual hygiene?
Menstrual hygiene refers to the practices and conditions that help maintain menstrual health and well-being. It includes using clean and safe menstrual products, washing and changing them regularly, having access to clean water and sanitation facilities, and managing menstrual pain and discomfort.
SC directive:
- The policy should include provisions for sanitary pads, disposal mechanisms, and exclusive washrooms for girls.
- SC emphasized the importance of sanitation and menstrual hygiene in government-aided and residential schools
- It called on States and Union Territories to submit menstrual hygiene plans within four weeks.
According to the recently released fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (2019-21), the use of unhygienic menstrual methods of protection among women (age 15-24 years) is almost three times that of their urban counterparts.
