Telangana Govt Schools Flout SC, Health Dept Orders On Menstrual Hygiene

Hyderabad: The lack of menstrual hygiene facilities continues to push adolescent girls out of the education system, with government schools and colleges failing to provide biodegradable sanitary napkins and water facilities for girls despite the Supreme Court’s directions and the state health department’s orders.

The state government had accorded administrative sanction for the procurement and distribution of adolescent health kits to girl students in government schools and colleges under the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK). The orders were issued by the health department sanctioned `69.52 crore for the programme through GO No. 674 dated November 16, 2022.

As per the order, 11 lakh health kits were approved for distribution during 2022-23 for six months. Each kit comprised a zipper bag, six packets of sanitary napkins and a water bottle. For 2023-24, 22 lakh kits were sanctioned for 12 months, with each kit containing 12 packets of sanitary napkins.

The expenditure was to be met from National Health Mission (NHM) funds, and the commissioner of health and family welfare and Mission Director, NHM, Hyderabad, was directed to take necessary action for implementation. However, activists claim the scheme largely remains on paper.

However, T. Niharika, a government teacher with 28 years of service, said no distribution had taken place in the last two years. “I now spend nearly 10 per cent of my salary to provide sanitary napkins to students. Yet disposal remains a challenge due to the absence of proper facilities. I almost covered most of my mandals in Jangao with menstrual hygiene awareness,” she said.

K.N.V. Bhanu, the founder of RedExpressHygiene, who conducts menstrual hygiene sessions and promotes reusable cloth pads in slums, told Deccan Chronicle that many girls and women from below-the-poverty-line families lack basic awareness about safe menstrual practices.

“Some cannot afford pads regularly and resort to unsafe alternatives, leading to infections and allergies caused by plastic-based napkins. Government schools often lack cleanliness, dustbins, and proper disposal systems. Even so-called biodegradable pads have plastic layers,” she said.

Bhanu added that her organisation distributes reusable cloth pads through crowdfunding support from individuals, NRIs, companies and NGOs. “Reusable pads are plastic-free and can be used safely for years, from the age of 10 to 18,” she said.

Despite the government order, child rights activist Hima Bindu said, sanitary napkins were not distributed in schools. “These GOs remain only on paper. Sustainable menstrual hygiene must be implemented seriously. Disposable products alone will not reduce period poverty. Schools need functional washrooms with water, proper disposal systems, and sustained awareness programmes,” the activist said, urging the state government to adopt a comprehensive Menstrual Hygiene Management Policy covering both government and private schools.

Hima Bindu said sanitary napkins are not available at all 10 government schools that she works with. “Teachers repeatedly requested support, forcing us to crowdfund and distribute reusable pads in Jawaharnagar slums and government high schools. The behavioural change among women and children has been encouraging,” she added.