In a major step toward gender-sensitive infrastructure, the Haryana Directorate of School Education has ordered a statewide rollout of menstrual hygiene facilities. The order follows successful pilot projects in select districts and aims to standardize health facilities for over 5 lakh girl students.
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The Infrastructure Upgrade: Every senior secondary school will now be equipped with two key units:
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Vending Machines: Coin-operated or button-press automated machines that dispense pads instantly.
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Incinerators: Wall-mounted electric units that burn used pads at high temperatures, converting them into sterile ash to prevent drainage clogging and soil pollution.
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Fighting Absenteeism: Studies have shown that many girls in rural Haryana skip 3 to 5 days of school every month due to a lack of private and hygienic facilities. “By providing these machines in school washrooms, we are ensuring that periods do not become a barrier to a girl’s education,” said a senior official from the Panchkula Education Directorate.
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Nodal Officers: To ensure the machines remain stocked and functional, schools have been directed to appoint a female teacher as a Nodal Officer. These officers will also conduct monthly “Menstrual Hygiene Management” (MHM) awareness sessions to educate students on health and environmental safety.
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Funding and Maintenance: The government has allocated a specific budget for the “Rate Contract” of napkins to ensure they are available either free of cost or at a nominal price of ₹1 to ₹5. Maintenance of the machines will be handled by the School Management Committees (SMCs) using composite school grants.
