Girl-friendly Environment in Schools across 11 Districts of India: A Cross-sectional Study

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the availability and quality of girl-friendly school facilities and to explore the extent of teacher and infrastructure support in schools across 11 districts of India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 150 schools. Data were collected using structured questionnaires designed to assess school infrastructure and teacher training on menstrual hygiene management (MHM). Results: The findings revealed that 90% of schools had separate toilets for girls, with 64% providing dedicated bins for sanitary waste and 35.2% equipped with incinerators for proper disposal. Teacher training on MHM was reported in 61.8% of the schools, highlighting a moderate level of preparedness. Conclusions: While notable progress has been made in creating a girl-friendly school environment, critical gaps persist in MHM-related infrastructure, supply chains, and awareness programs. Addressing these challenges is essential to create truly inclusive and supportive educational settings for girls.