Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday, 28 May held a virtual interaction with government school principals and Education Department officials on the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Day, announcing a slate of policy measures under the 'Menstrual Health Matters' campaign aimed at making Delhi's public institutions safer and more supportive for girls.

Key Policy Decisions Announced

Chief Minister Gupta announced that a special advisory will be issued to ensure the regular maintenance and timely refilling of sanitary pad vending machines installed across government schools, government offices, public toilets, and Arogya Mandirs. The distribution system is being centralised to guarantee that every girl in Delhi has access to high-quality biodegradable sanitary pads.

Menstrual health education for Classes 6 to 9 will be strengthened within the school curriculum, while large-scale awareness programmes will be conducted across the capital through ASHA and Anganwadi workers to ensure accurate health information reaches every household.

Wider Health Agenda for Girls

Beyond menstruation, Gupta said girl students will be educated on conditions including PCOS, anaemia, cervical cancer, menopause, and HPV vaccination. Regular health sessions will be organised at Arogya Mandirs, where doctors and trained staff will engage directly with women and girl students.

The Chief Minister also stressed the importance of creating a school environment where girls can openly discuss their concerns and receive support for mental stress — a dimension of menstrual health that is often overlooked in policy discourse.

Sanitation Infrastructure Under Scrutiny

Gupta expressed concern over the state of toilet blocks in some schools, noting that complaints had been received regarding poor sanitation and damaged facilities. She directed that all school toilets be kept clean, that broken doors and other damaged infrastructure be repaired promptly, and that school funds or coordination with concerned officials be used to resolve such issues without delay.

What the Education Minister Said

Education Minister Ashish Sood said menstrual health is not merely a medical issue but one directly linked to dignity, awareness, and self-confidence. He underscored that it is the Education Department's responsibility to sustain awareness campaigns in schools on a subject that has historically received limited public discussion. Sood also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised the issue during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, signalling sustained political attention at the highest level.

What Comes Next

With the advisory on vending machines, curriculum strengthening, and community outreach through frontline health workers all set in motion, the initiative marks one of Delhi's most comprehensive institutional responses to menstrual health to date. Implementation timelines and monitoring mechanisms are expected to be detailed in the forthcoming advisory.