The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the police department to install sanitary napkin vending machines and provide separate toilets for women police personnel working in all police stations across Delhi.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to inspect all police stations within 6 weeks to determine whether separate toilets for women and sanitary napkin facilities are available. Based on that inspection report, the court issued this order.
The court took up this case for hearing on September 23 and asked the police department to file an affidavit regarding the steps taken to implement the court’s orders.
This order was issued when notices were sent to the Central Government, the Delhi Government, and the police department in connection with a public interest litigation filed seeking basic menstrual hygiene facilities for women police personnel at workplaces.
In this case filed by the voluntary organization “Justice for Rights Foundation,” the petitioner, citing RTI information, stated that although thousands of women work in hundreds of police stations across Delhi, sanitary napkin vending machines are available only in a few places, and there is no comprehensive budget or policy for these facilities.
This shortcoming is not merely an administrative lapse. The failure to provide such basic facilities violates the dignity, health, privacy, and safe working conditions of women police personnel. The petition stated that this is contrary to Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.
