Pinkishe Foundation
31/10/2026
Dr. Shehla Jamal
Every girl and woman deserves to manage her period with comfort, privacy and dignity. For girls and women with disabilities, this can be harder. A toilet may be too narrow for a wheelchair. A lesson on periods may not reach a girl who cannot hear or see. A girl with an intellectual disability may not understand what is happening to her body. And many carers are unsure how to help.
Most of these problems can be solved with planning, the right products and patient teaching. This post sets out the main challenges, what Indian law says, and practical tips for families, carers and schools.
Many toilets in schools, offices and public places are too narrow, have a step at the door, or have no grab bars. The tap may be out of reach, and there may be no bin. A girl who uses a wheelchair, crutches or a walker may not be able to change a pad on her own.
Lessons on periods are often given only by talking, or only with pictures on a board. A girl who is deaf, blind or has a learning disability may miss most of it. Some families also think a girl with a disability does not need to know, so she meets her first period with no warning.
Weak hand grip, shaking hands, stiff joints or poor balance can make it hard to open a packet, stick a pad in place, or wash and dry a cloth pad.
A mother, sister or paid carer may feel shy or unsure about helping with periods. Without guidance, care can become rushed, rough or skipped, which leads to rashes, infection and shame.
Period taboos are often stronger around girls with disabilities. Some are kept at home during their periods or hidden from visitors. This adds to their isolation.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 says that persons with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else, and that schools and public buildings must be accessible to them.
On 30 January 2026, in Dr Jaya Thakur v Government of India, the Supreme Court held that menstrual health is part of the right to life under Article 21. It gave directions for classes 6 to 12 on free products, vending machines, safe disposal, education, teacher training and annual inspection. In an order of 1 September 2026, the Court set the standard as compostable products meeting ISO 17088 read with IS 5405, and directed states towards reusable cups, period panties and reusable napkins.
For a girl with a disability, "accessible" has to include a toilet she can enter, turn around in and use in private, with water, soap, a grab bar and a covered bin.
Every girl has the right to privacy and to say no. Carers should explain each step, ask before helping, and never consider surgery or medicines to stop periods without independent medical advice and the girl's own say wherever possible.
Teach her the names of her body parts, and that no one should touch her private parts except to help with care she understands and agrees to. Where possible, let her choose who helps her. If she seems afraid of a particular person, or has injuries no one can explain, take it seriously and get help at once. In an emergency, call 112.
Last reviewed: October 2026.
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Prefer to work out your dates now? Open the free ovulation calculatorToilets they cannot use, lessons they cannot follow, products that are hard to handle, carers who have not been shown how to help, and extra stigma. Most of these can be solved with planning and support.
Start before her first period. Use pictures, a simple picture story and the same routine every time. Teach one small step at a time and repeat it often. Practise with a pad on underwear before she needs it.
It depends on the girl. Pads with wings, period underwear, and cloth pads with press studs or hook-and-loop strips are often easier for girls with limited hand use. Try a few and let her choose.
Not without independent medical advice and the girl's own say wherever possible. Every girl has the right to privacy and to say no. Surgery or medicines to stop periods are serious decisions.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 says schools and public buildings must be accessible to persons with disabilities. The Supreme Court has also given directions on menstrual health in schools for classes 6 to 12.
Girls and women with disabilities have the same right to manage their periods with dignity as anyone else. Accessible toilets, teaching she can follow, the right products and carers who ask before helping make the biggest difference.
Pinkishe Foundation is a specialist implementation organisation for menstrual health. We deliver, reliably, in schools and communities across India. Support our work with a donation.
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