The Supreme Court’s landmark judgement recognising the right to menstrual health and hygiene as a fundamental right grabbed headlines all of last week. Why was this recognition needed? Because thousands of girls continue to drop out of school every year in our country due to a lack of clean, safe toilets with access to running water. And because periods continue to be shrouded in stigma and silence despite nearly half the population of the country experiencing them.What exactly does the judgement state? How important is it to sensitise boys and start conversations in schools? And how does period poverty impact women across the board in India? Guest: Poonam Muttreja, executive director, Population Foundation of India Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Listen to more In Focus podcasts: Published – February 11, 2026 04:17 pm IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation Journalist Ravi Nair convicted in Adani defamation case Chronic hives demands long-term care, not endless trigger searches: experts