Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta engaged with government school principals and Education Department officials on World Menstrual Hygiene Day to enhance safety and sensitivity for girls. Major policy decisions were announced under the ‘Menstrual Health Matters’ campaign, including issuing a special advisory for the maintenance and refilling of sanitary pad vending machines in various locations.
The centralization of the system aims to ensure that every girl in Delhi has access to high-quality biodegradable sanitary pads. Emphasis will be placed on providing safe, hygienic, and quality-tested sanitary products. Awareness programs will be conducted across Delhi through ASHA and Anganwadi workers to disseminate accurate information on menstrual health to households.
To bolster menstrual health education, classes for students in Grades 6 to 9 will be enhanced in the curriculum. The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of creating a supportive environment in schools for girls to share their concerns openly and receive necessary support to address mental stress.
Efforts will be made to improve the condition of toilet blocks in schools, ensuring cleanliness and prompt repair of damaged facilities. Girls will also be educated on broader health issues such as PCOS, anaemia, cervical cancer, menopause, and HPV vaccination. Regular health sessions will be organized at Arogya Mandirs for direct interaction with women and girl students.
Education Minister Ashish Sood emphasized that menstrual health is not just a health concern but also relates to dignity, awareness, and self-confidence. The Education Department will continue awareness campaigns in schools on this topic, which has historically seen limited public discourse. He noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attention to the issue during his Independence Day speech.
