The PRESS Pad

Supreme Court Recognises Menstrual Health as Integral to the Right to Life In a landmark and deeply rights-based judgment, the Supreme Court of India  has categorically held that menstrual health and hygiene in schools are integral to the Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India . The observation marks a decisive constitutional shift, bringing menstrual health—long treated as a welfare or public health issue—within the core of fundamental rights

Despite being legally prohibited for decades , child marriage remains one of the most persistent and damaging social practices in India, with serious consequences for health outcomes, education levels, poverty alleviation, gender equality, and long-term economic growth . Child marriage disproportionately affects young girls , exposing them to early and high-risk pregnancies , increasing vulnerability to domestic violence , curtailing access to education, and reinforcing inter