New Delhi, May 28: On the occasion of Menstrual Hygiene Day, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta held a virtual dialogue with principals of government schools and officials from the education department. During this meeting, she reaffirmed her commitment to making schools safer, more sensitive, and convenient for female students.
According to an official statement, the Chief Minister announced several significant policy decisions under the ‘Menstrual Health Matters’ campaign.
In the video conference, CM Rekha Gupta stated that a special advisory will be issued to ensure the regular maintenance and timely refilling of sanitary pad vending machines installed in government schools, offices, public toilets, and health centers.
She emphasized that a centralized system is being established to provide high-quality biodegradable sanitary pads to every girl and woman in Delhi. The government will focus on supplying safe, clean, and quality-verified sanitary materials.
The Chief Minister also revealed plans for a widespread awareness campaign across Delhi, utilizing ASHA and Anganwadi workers to disseminate accurate information about menstrual health to every household.
To enhance awareness at the school level, menstrual health education will be made more effective and robust in the curriculum for grades 6 to 9.
Rekha Gupta stressed the need to create an environment in schools where female students can openly share their issues and receive necessary support to overcome mental stress.
She expressed concern over the poor condition of toilets in some schools, noting complaints about cleanliness and lack of basic facilities. She directed that all school toilets be kept clean, broken doors and other damaged structures be repaired promptly, and that issues be resolved quickly through school funds or coordination with relevant authorities.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that students will be educated about important health topics beyond menstruation, including PCOS, anemia, cervical cancer, menopause, and HPV vaccination. Regular health sessions will be held at health centers, where doctors and trained health workers will engage directly with women and students.
On this occasion, Education Minister Ashish Sood stated that menstrual health is not just a health issue; it is also linked to dignity, awareness, and self-confidence. He emphasized the education department’s responsibility to conduct continuous awareness campaigns in schools, as public discussions on this topic have been limited for too long.
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