Dr. Jaya Thakur v. Government of India & Ors.
Background
A PIL sought free sanitary pads, separate toilets, and awareness programmes for schoolgirls; despite existing schemes on paper, implementation remained patchy, with several states never even filing affidavits.
Decision Breakdown
The Court held that lacking menstrual hygiene facilities violates equality, dignity, health, and education rights, and that providing such facilities is a mandatory RTE Act standard for every school. It issued detailed nationwide directions (functional toilets, free sanitary products, disposal mechanisms, stigma-free curricula) with annual inspections overseen by NCPCR/SCPCR.
Lesson Learnt
Access to functioning toilets and stigma-free menstrual health education in schools is a constitutionally guaranteed component of a girl's right to equality, dignity and education, not a matter of charity.