Schoolgirls to get sanitary pads during lockdown

JAIPUR: The government schools closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic have been directed to continue to provide sanitary pads to girl students.

The state government provides sanitary pads to girls from Class 6 to 12 in schools to ensure menstrual hygiene. The girls not going to schools get the pads through anganwadis.

“Due to the lockdown, schools and anganwadis are closed, and the girls aren’t getting the pads. Therefore, the decision has been taken, so that the girls can get uninterrupted supply of pads. In absence of the pads, there is a threat of health issues during menstruations,” said director, secondary education, Sourabh Swami, in an order marked to all chief district education officers.

“It is directed to ensure availability of pads to girls studying from Class 6 to 12 during the lockdown. The same has been conveyed to school principals,” said Swami. “If additional pads are required, district health officers should be contacted,” he added.

The order was issued after the Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights took cognizance of complaints received from various districts.

Commission chairperson Sangeeta Beniwal said, “The present government is providing sanitary pads to girls through schools and anganbadis, but due to sudden lockdown the girls were not able to get them. When the commission came to know through letters and phone calls that girls aren’t receiving pads, concerned departments were directed to ensure that pads are delivered to girls.” HTC