A period should never be the reason a girl misses class. Yet for millions of girls across India, menstruation has long meant staying home due to a lack of clean toilets, menstrual products or even basic awareness. Now, a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of India could begin to change that.
In January 2026, the Court recognised menstrual health as a fundamental right, directing states and schools to improve menstrual hygiene facilities and education. If implemented effectively, experts believe the decision could help more girls stay in school, reduce stigma and improve women's health for years to come.
What does the ruling say?
The Supreme Court has instructed schools and state governments to:
- Build clean, gender-segregated toilets.
- Ensure access to menstrual hygiene products in schools.
- Conduct menstrual health awareness sessions for both girls and boys.
- Improve sanitation facilities that allow girls to manage their periods with dignity.
The ruling aligns India with the United Nations and World Health Organization, both of which recognise menstrual health as a basic human right.
Why this matters
For many girls, periods are still a barrier to education. Research cited by the Court found that only around half of girls know about menstruation before puberty, while poor sanitation and lack of menstrual products contribute significantly to school absenteeism.
This isn't unique to India. A 2021 Plan International UK survey found that 64% of girls aged 14–21 had missed part or all of a school day because of their period, highlighting that menstrual stigma remains a global issue.
Periods shouldn't interrupt education
For organisations working in menstrual health, the ruling is a major step forward. According to Megha Desai, President of the Desai Foundation, the responsibility has shifted from young girls to institutions.
Earlier, managing menstruation largely depended on a 12-year-old girl navigating the challenges alone. Now, schools and communities are expected to provide the infrastructure and support needed to make periods manageable and dignified.
That shift could have a lasting impact on girls' confidence, attendance and educational outcomes.
Toilets alone aren't enough
India has invested heavily in sanitation through the Swachh Bharat Mission, with millions of toilets reportedly built over the last decade. However, access doesn't always equal usability.
Experts working on the ground say many school toilets still lack running water, cleanliness or privacy—making them unusable during menstruation.
Menstrual health also requires:
- Reliable access to clean water.
- Affordable menstrual products.
- Safe disposal facilities.
- Age-appropriate education.
- Open conversations that reduce shame and stigma.
Without these, infrastructure alone cannot solve the problem.
A model for other countries?
Public health experts believe India's constitutional approach is particularly significant because it frames menstrual health as a rights issue rather than simply a hygiene programme.
Countries like Kenya already provide free sanitary pads in public schools, but India's ruling goes a step further by embedding menstrual dignity within broader public policy.
If implemented successfully, it could encourage other low- and middle-income countries to adopt similar approaches.
Implementation is the real test
Like many progressive policies, success will depend on execution. Schools will need funding, monitoring and long-term commitment to maintain facilities, stock menstrual products and deliver consistent education.
Experts also hope the conversation will eventually extend beyond classrooms into colleges and workplaces, ensuring menstrual health support throughout a woman's life.
Periods should never determine whether a girl receives an education.
India's Supreme Court has laid the foundation for a more inclusive future by recognising menstrual health as a basic right. If schools, governments and communities follow through, this decision could help keep more girls in classrooms, reduce stigma and make menstrual dignity part of everyday life, not an exception.