Provision of separate toilets and sanitation napkins for girls in school is a step towards well-being of girl child under Article 21A: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court was hearing a case on Suchi scheme which focuses upon the distribution of sanitary napkins in schools and hostels. However, in the previous year, they could not distribute the same due to financial constraints. The Court while considering it, ordered the State Government to file a status report with regards to the implementation of the scheme and informing about when the administrative approvals for procurement of sanitary napkins will take place.

A bench of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice J.M. Khazi observed that the Right to Education has a broader aspect when it comes to upholding the fundamental rights of a girl child. In order to empower young girls and women, there's a need to provide separate toilets and sanitary in schools.

The provision of separate toilets and sanitary napkins in schools was one of the steps taken towards the well-being of the girl child through the reference of Right to Education under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution. The Constitution provides the Right to Education as a fundamental right under Article 21A and equating it to sanitation and the importance of a girl child's heath development.

In order to effectively cater to the needs of female students, there needs to be proper, safe, hygienic, and accessible toilets. Right to Education is completely interrelated with the right to sanitation. The Right to Dignity also gets affected in the sense that girls have to stop their daily routine of going to school because of inadequate sanitation facilities. Unless proper sanitation measures are taken and facilities are provided, the true realization of human rights remains elusive.