Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Supreme Court Bar Association Moves SC on Menstruation Proof Demand
Imagine a group of women who work as cleaners at a university.
One day, they were told to work on a Sunday, which is usually their day off, because an important visitor was coming.
The women said they weren't feeling well because it was their period, which is a normal part of being a woman.
But their bosses didn't believe them and forced them to take pictures of their sanitary pads in the bathroom to prove they were really having their period.
This made the women feel very embarrassed and disrespected.
Now, a group of lawyers, called the Supreme Court Bar Association, has asked the highest court in the country to make rules so this kind of thing doesn't happen to anyone else.
They want to make sure everyone's privacy and personal feelings are respected, especially when it comes to health matters like menstruation.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking guidelines on women's dignity and privacy concerning menstrual health in institutions.
The petition cites an incident at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, where three women sanitation workers were allegedly forced to provide photographic proof of menstruation.
The workers were reportedly asked to supply photos of their sanitary napkins to justify their claims of being unwell due to their periods.
SCBA argues that such demands violate workers' dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy.
The petition references a previous Supreme Court observation on patriarchal attitudes and biases faced by women at workplaces.
- Who
- Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA)
- What
- Filed a writ petition urging the Supreme Court to lay down guidelines against violations of women's dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy regarding menstrual and gynaecological health in institutional settings.
- When
- The petition was filed on Tuesday, citing an incident on October 26.
- Where
- The incident occurred at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana. The petition was filed in the Supreme Court of India.
- Why
- To prevent the rampant violation of dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy faced by women and girls in institutional settings concerning menstrual and gynaecological health, following a disturbing incident where sanitation workers were allegedly forced to provide photographic proof of menstruation.
Demand for Proof
Workers' Rights and Dignity
Justification for Absence/Workload
Demand for Proof
Supervisors demanded photographic proof of menstruation to verify claims of being unwell and justify faster work.
Workers' Rights and Dignity
Workers were physically unwell due to menstruation and unable to work faster, with the demand for proof constituting humiliation and pressure.
Workplace Practices
Demand for Proof
The incident suggests a demand for verification of personal health matters related to menstruation.
Workers' Rights and Dignity
Forcing women to produce photographic proof of menstruation violates dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy in institutional settings.
- Organization Filing Petition
- Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA)
- Incident Date
- October 26
- Institution
- Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak
- Affected Individuals
- Three women sanitation workers
- Alleged Demand
- Photographs of sanitary napkins to prove menstruation