The Delhi High Court has yet again proved itself to be a trailblazer among Indian courts. Acting on a letter written by a lady advocate Satakashi Verma, Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal has taken the initiative to install sanitary pad vending machines in the High Court building.

This initiative is meant to address the difficulties faced by women visiting and working in the Delhi High Court in arranging for disposable sanitary napkins when required. As a result, women lawyers, litigants and staff members were often forced to suspend work and go to a chemist or a shop selling sanitary pads during such “uncomfortable situations”.

The initiative comes as a welcome step to increase awareness about menstrual hygiene in a country where discussion on menstruation is considered taboo.

Incinerators have also been installed to encourage users to dispose of the soiled napkins themselves in a hygienic and eco-friendly manner, instead of leaving it to the cleaning staff.

In October last year, the Supreme Court had also directed the installation of three sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators in suitable locations within the Court premises.