The Supreme Court has expressed displeasure over States and Union Territories not responding to the Centre on how its judgment declaring menstrual hygiene as a part of the fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution is being implemented.
Editorial | A full stop: On the top court, the right to menstrual health and hygiene It said the apex court had declared menstrual hygiene/menstrual health as one of the facets of Article 21 of the Constitution, which deals with the protection of life and personal liberty. The Bench said that on September 1, it had directed the States and UTs to take into consideration the deficiencies highlighted by it and report in that regard by the next date of hearing. In a significant judgment delivered on January 30, the apex court said that the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution includes the right to menstrual health. During the hearing in the matter on October 13, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, told the Bench that the Union of India has taken up this issue very seriously with all the states and UTs to respond to what manner the judgment is being implemented.
Because of the problem of menstrual hygiene, etc, the Bench said the apex court’s verdict was in the interest of young girls who were giving up education, more particularly in remote parts of the country.
“We direct the Union to take up this issue very seriously with each state/UT and call for the necessary information in writing as to what steps they have taken so far for giving effect to the judgment delivered by this court,” it said.
