Gujarat Government To Give Free Sanitary Napkins To Girl Students In Government Schools

The Gujarat government will provide free sanitary napkins every month to more than 10 lakh girls studying in Classes 6 to 12 in government-run schools. The initiative, approved by the Education Department, is aimed at improving menstrual hygiene and reducing disruptions to girls’ education. The state government has allocated Rs 46.68 crore for implementing the programme.

Under the scheme, each eligible girl will receive sanitary napkins worth Rs 360 annually, with oxo-biodegradable products distributed through schools at no cost. The government intends the programme to support regular attendance and retention among girl students, particularly those studying in rural and remote areas. Officials have linked access to menstrual hygiene products with efforts to reduce barriers that can affect girls’ participation in education.

Schools have been instructed to ensure that the products are distributed in a comfortable and dignified manner. A woman teacher at each school will be designated as a Nodal Teacher to oversee distribution and provide students with information about menstruation and personal hygiene. The teacher will also be available to help students discuss concerns and address misconceptions associated with menstrual health.

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The Education Department has also issued instructions on the disposal of used sanitary napkins. Schools have been directed to follow the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, including wrapping used pads in paper, keeping them separate from wet and dry waste and handing them over to the local waste collection system. Schools equipped with sanitary pad disposal machines or incinerators have been asked to ensure that the equipment remains functional and is serviced regularly.

The government has linked the programme with broader objectives related to girls’ education, women’s empowerment and the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative. Officials said improved access to sanitary products could help girls who otherwise miss classes during menstruation attend school more regularly. The use of oxo-biodegradable napkins is also intended to facilitate safer disposal and reduce the environmental impact of menstrual waste.

The latest programme builds on Gujarat’s earlier efforts to improve access to menstrual hygiene products among adolescent girls. The state had launched the Taruni Suvidha Programme in 2016, under which packs containing six sanitary napkins were made available at a token price of Re 1. The new initiative will provide the products free through government schools, with the state allocating Rs 46.68 crore to cover its implementation.

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