Context
The Supreme Court has held that menstrual health and menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in schools is an essential part of the fundamental right to life and dignity under Article 21.
Directions issued by the Supreme Court
• States and Union Territories must ensure:
• Functional toilets in all schools
• Free sanitary napkins
• Installation of sanitary napkin vending machines
Other Rights Recognised Under Article 21 (with case laws)
- Right to Privacy – Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017)
- Right to Live with Human Dignity – Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978)
- Right to Education (up to 14 years) – Unni Krishnan v. State of Andhra Pradesh (1993)
- Right to Clean Environment – Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar (1991)
- Right to Livelihood – Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985)
- Right to Shelter – Chameli Singh v. State of U.P. (1996)
- Right to Health – Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity (1996)
- Right to Reproductive Choice – Suchita Srivastava v. Chandigarh Administration (2009)
- Right to Speedy Trial – Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar (1979)
- Right to Free Legal Aid – M.H. Hoskot v. State of Maharashtra (1978)
