Stopping period poverty for girls like Sadia

Thousands of girls from poor communities, with no access to sanitary pads, are compelled to skip school during their periods.

This was the case with 16-year old Sadia Abdul Rahaman.

A member of ActionAid’s Girls’ Club, a safe space for girls from poor, rural communities to meet and discuss the many issues they face, Sadia and other girls shared that most of their parents were not able to buy sanitary pads for them and as a result they were left with no option than to use cloth materials as pad. The flimsy material was ineffective, causing the girls to stain their uniforms and exposing them to ridicule by other students, especially their male colleagues.

To avoid the embarrassments, most girls preferred to stay away from school during their periods.

ActionAid intervened by collaborating with Days for Girls Ghana [an organisation specialized in the production of sanitary pads using local materials] to train 30 Girls’ Club matrons in making affordable sanitary pads. The matrons, in turn, also trained girls in their respective clubs.

Sadia was one of the girls trained to make her own sanitary pads,

I am so happy with this support because I have not missed school since I received the training and have been able to make my own sanitary pads, which will last for my use for the next 3 years”.

I now attend school regularly without missing out.

I feel comfortable during my menstrual period since I now have hygienic and more comfortable sanitary pad to use so I do not skip school again. I am now very happy and will study hard to pass my B.E.C.E. and proceed to Senior High School.”