Menstrual hygiene: Supreme Court expresses displeasure over States, UTs not responding to Centre

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. File. | Photo Credit: The Hindu

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.

“If what we have said in the judgment is only going to remain on paper, how are the Union and states/UTs going to give effect to this fundamental right?” said Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan.

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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.