Girls' education must not be hampered due to lack of sanitary napkins, gender-segregated toilets in schools: SC

Stressing on the importance of girl education, the Supreme Court on Monday said that girls should not give up education only for the reason that sanitary napkins and functional, gender-segregated toilets are not available at schools.

The top court also asked the Centre to ensure that its directions in this regard are implemented effectively.

"Make good use of it. It is for the good of women and girls of this country. Girls should not give up education and sit at home and do some domestic work only for this reason," a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan observed.

The top court's observation came after the Centre said that its January 30 order telling authorities to arrange free sanitary napkins to female students and functional, gender-segregated toilets at schools led to galvanisation of efforts in all states and Union Territories.

"Now, it is for you to make the most of it and see that as far as possible, the benefits are extended in terms of our judgment," the bench told Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave, who was appearing for the Centre.

While asking the government on the progress of implementation of the orders, SC said that it would keep monitoring the situation every three months.

The top court posted the matter for reporting further compliance on September 1.

"There shall not be any lapse on the part of any of the states in furnishing the status reports to the Union," the bench said.

In its January 30 verdict, the top court had said, "The right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution includes the right to menstrual health. Access to safe, effective and affordable menstrual hygiene management measures helps a girl child attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health."

(With PTI inputs)