Karnataka High Court Directs State To Implement Scheme For Providing Sanitary Napkins To Adolescent School Girls

Under the scheme sanitary napkins are distributed to adolescent girls studying in schools and staying in hostels between the age group of 10 to 19 years. A total of 17,06,933 adolescent girls are beneficiaries of the scheme in the state. However, during years 2019-20, 20-21, procurement of sanitary napkins to be distributed to adolescent girls was not made on account of financial constraint.

A division bench of Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice J.M.KHAZI said "State is directed to comply with the time schedule that it is enunciated in the communication dated 21.04.2021 referred to above and place on record a status report on the progress made by the next date of hearing."

The bench reiterated that "The plan of action under SHUCHI SCHEME shall be implemented by the State for adolescent girls between the age group of 10-19 years, as the same is an aid to the empowerment of such adolescent girls particularly residing in rural and remote places, traveling from the villages to the Taluk headquarters or District headquarters for their education. They ought not to miss attendance in the school on certain days of the month on account of lack of effective hygiene products being available to them on certain days of the month."

It added "In addition, if separate toilets are provided to girl students in Government and aided schools, it would be enhancing their health, hygiene and privacy. As a result it would ensure full attendance of the adolescent girls in the schools and their right to education would be fulfilled."

The State government in a memo filed before the court submitted that by the end of April 2021 the technical committee would be meeting and in the month of May 2021, the administrative approval will be sought and within 90 days thereafter the procurement shall be made.

The Additional Government Advocate also informed the court that in the event schools are closed, there would be community based door to door distribution through the health workers, but if the schools reopen then the distribution of the hygiene products shall be made to the adolescent girls in the schools themselves.

The court has directed the State government to file a status report on May 31, with regard to the implementation of the SHUCHI SCHEME. The direction was given during the hearing of a petition filed by ANTI CORRUPTION COUNCIL OF INDIA.