SC issues notice to Central, State governments to provide free sanitary pads to girls in classes 6th and above
The Apex Court of India has sought comments from the Central government, the states, and the Union territories (UTs) on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) asking for instructions to provide free sanitary pads to girls enrolled in classes 6th and above in government schools nationwide.
The joint bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha took note of the social activist and doctor from Madhya Pradesh, Jaya Thakur, and sent notices to the Central government, all 50 states, and all Union Territories.
The Supreme Court requested Tushar Mehta, the Solicitor General, for assistance in the case after noting that the petitioner had brought up an important concern regarding the sanitation and hygiene of female students attending government-run and government-aided institutions.
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Notably, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court earlier this month regarding awareness on sanitary pads. It has been demanded in the petition that sanitary pads should be provided for free of cost to the girl students from class 6th to 12th in the schools of the country. The petition had urged the Supreme Court to direct the government to provide free sanitary pads to girl students studying in class 6th to 12th, so that girls belonging to poor and economically weaker sections do not face difficulties in getting sanitary pads.
Petitioner Jaya Thakur has said that 11 to 18 year old adolescent girls coming from poor background are facing severe hardship. These adolescent girls do not know about periods and the hygiene to be maintained during periods, nor are they able to talk about it with their parents. Apart from this, it has also been said in the petition that there is also a lack of awareness among poor family members regarding periods.
Separate toilets for girls in all schools
Due to weak economic condition and lack of information, bad practices and traditional methods are used in poor families during periods. Due to this, the girls of poor families fall in the grip of serious diseases and in such a situation there is difficulty in getting out of school or home. Apart from this, the petitioner has also demanded that separate toilet facilities for girls should be provided in all government, aided and local schools and a sweeper should be appointed.
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