Shivamogga Educators Instructed Against Collecting Menstrual Data from Students

Speedy Summary

• Shivamogga administration has issued a circular instructing schools and colleges not to collect data on the menstrual cycle of girl students or maintain a register.
• This decision follows public backlash over an earlier directive linked to the Mission Suraksha campaign, which aimed to address issues like child marriage, sexual assault, and anaemia among children.
• Deputy Commissioner Gurudatta Hegade clarified that privacy violation was not the intent of the campaign. The focus is on counseling about health, hygiene, and safely managing menstrual cycles.
• Activists had raised concerns about privacy infringement associated with collecting personal facts from students. Public expressions of shock were also evident across social media platforms.
• Rati Rao E., National President of the All-India Progressive Women’s Association, demanded an immediate halt to this initiative and called for scientific awareness campaigns rather.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The retraction by Shivamogga administration highlights ongoing concerns surrounding privacy in India’s educational system when implementing well-intentioned campaigns like Mission Suraksha. While addressing public health challenges such as anaemia among young girls is essential, maintaining trust hinges on safeguarding personal freedoms and confidentiality as fundamental rights. The decision to cancel menstrual data collection reflects responsiveness by authorities but underscores a broader need for thoughtfully introduced policies that achieve objectives without compromising individual dignity or constitutional safeguards against intrusive practices.

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