Gehlot demands immediate resumption of free sanitary napkin scheme

Jaipur: Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot Wednesday wrote to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Menstrual Hygiene Day, demanding the immediate resumption of free sanitary napkin distribution under the Udaan Yojana in the state.

In his letter, Gehlot said menstrual hygiene is not merely a health issue but a fundamental right connected to women’s education, dignity and social participation. He stated that the absence of access to hygienic sanitary products forces women and adolescent girls to use unsafe alternatives, increasing the risk of infections and serious health complications.

Gehlot highlighted the social impact of poor menstrual hygiene management, claiming that many adolescent girls remain absent from school or eventually drop out due to stigma and lack of sanitary facilities, affecting their education and economic productivity.

Referring to legal developments, Gehlot said the Supreme Court, on Jan 30, 2025, recognised the right to menstrual hygiene as part of the fundamental right to life. He recalled that during the previous Congress govt, the ‘I Am Shakti Udaan Yojana’ provided 12 free sanitary napkins every month to women aged between 10 and 45 years.

Gehlot alleged that although the present BJP govt renamed the scheme as the ‘Kalibai Bheel Udaan Yojana’, the purchase and distribution of sanitary napkins have stopped since Oct 2024, calling it an injustice to women’s health.