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Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh: A 16-year-old girl in Bareilly has accused her school of denying her a sanitary pad when she got her period during an exam on Friday, January 24. According to a report by Jobaaj Stories, the Class XI student claimed that after asking for help, she was instructed to wait outside the exam hall for over an hour but was never provided with a pad. The situation escalated when she was sent home bleeding through her clothes after being denied permission to continue with her exam.
The girl’s family has filed an official complaint with the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) and has reached out to both the Women and Child Welfare Department and the State Women’s Commission, demanding immediate action against the school.
The girl’s father expressed his frustration, saying that the principal and teachers ignored his daughter’s urgent request for assistance. He shared that the experience left his daughter feeling deeply embarrassed, and she now fears returning to school.
The acting principal, Rachna Arora, acknowledged being aware of the student’s request for a sanitary pad but explained that she was engaged with other responsibilities at that time. She further mentioned that the student was asked to wait outside the hall, but she had left the premises before the principal could attend to her.
The DIOS has taken the matter seriously and has formed a team to investigate whether the school had sanitary pads available and to ensure that adequate provisions are made for the well-being of all female students. The team will also check that the school complies with a government initiative aimed at ensuring access to menstrual hygiene products.
In September 2024, the Uttar Pradesh government launched a programme to provide sanitary pads to girls in government schools, a step designed to promote health, hygiene, and regular school attendance. The programme, with a budget of Rs 1.1 crore, will benefit 36,772 girls across 535 schools. Under this initiative, school committees are responsible for purchasing and distributing the pads to ensure that no girl is left without access to menstrual hygiene products.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges many girls face regarding menstrual hygiene in schools, especially in rural areas. It also underscores the urgent need for effective implementation of government programs to support the health and well-being of students.
Disclaimer: The details in this news article are based on reports and statements from the involved parties and government sources. The investigation by the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) is ongoing, and the school’s side of the story is still being reviewed.
