Delhi High Court Orders Women's Washrooms, Sanitary Vending Machines

The Delhi High Court has directed the Commissioner of Delhi Police to ensure that women police personnel have access to dedicated washrooms and sanitary pad vending machines in all police stations.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia ordered a survey of all police stations to be completed within six weeks. Based on the findings, steps must be taken to provide each police station with the facility of sanitary pad vending machines and washrooms for exclusive use of women personnel.

The Court also directed Delhi Police to submit an affidavit by the next date of hearing, detailing the steps taken during this period to comply with the order. The direction puts the focus on a basic workplace requirement for women in the police force. Access to clean, private washrooms and menstrual hygiene facilities should be an essential part of a workplace, particularly for police personnel who often work long and demanding hours.

The order was passed while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by NGO Justice for Rights Foundation through its Women Cell representative, Muskan Singh Bankura. According to the petition, information obtained under the Right to Information Act revealed an almost complete absence of functional sanitary pad vending machines, menstrual waste incinerators, and dedicated budgetary allocations for menstrual hygiene at police stations.

The petition argued that thousands of women police personnel were being required to perform their duties without access to basic menstrual hygiene facilities and private, clean washrooms. It contended that the lack of these facilities infringes their fundamental rights to dignity, health, privacy, and humane working conditions under Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution.

The issue goes beyond convenience, as the concerns raised in the petition underline why menstrual hygiene infrastructure needs to be treated as a basic workplace facility rather than an optional amenity. The petition also cited initiatives already undertaken by other police and security forces, such as Mumbai Police’s Smart Maitrin project and facilities provided to Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and Leh District Police.

These examples suggest that providing menstrual hygiene facilities within police establishments is achievable and can form part of institutional workplace infrastructure. The Court's order is a significant step towards ensuring that women police personnel have access to basic facilities that are essential for their health, dignity, and well-being.

In conclusion, the Delhi High Court's order is a welcome move towards promoting gender equality and ensuring that women police personnel have access to basic facilities that are essential for their health, dignity, and well-being. The order sets a precedent for other police forces to follow and highlights the importance of providing menstrual hygiene facilities in the workplace.

The implementation of this order will have a significant impact on the working conditions of women police personnel in Delhi. It will not only improve their health and well-being but also boost their morale and productivity. The order is also a reminder that providing basic facilities such as clean washrooms and menstrual hygiene facilities is essential for promoting gender equality in the workplace.

Overall, the Delhi High Court's order is a significant step towards promoting gender equality and ensuring that women police personnel have access to basic facilities that are essential for their health, dignity, and well-being. It is a welcome move that will have a positive impact on the working conditions of women police personnel in Delhi and set a precedent for other police forces to follow.